She went to be with Jesus on May 7, 2026, at the age of 85, in St. Catharines.
Anni Dischke was the beloved wife of Waldemar Dischke for 54 years. She was the loving mother of Wendy (Hari) Stirbet and Denny (Kim) Dischke, and cherished Oma to Kyle, Jakob, Joshua, Finn, Wesley, and Kate. She is survived by her brother, Rudy (Kathy) Sawatzky, and was predeceased by her parents, Jakob and Lena (Wiens) Sawatzky.
Anni was born on October 31, 1940, in Fernheim Colony #16. Life in Paraguay was difficult, shaped by a harsh, dry environment and by her mother’s frequent illness, but the church remained at the centre of the community. At the age of 10, during religion class at school, her teacher, Mr. Hein, told the class about Jesus, and Anni accepted Jesus into her heart. When Anni was 14, the family moved to Filadelfia, where she attended high school. She was a fast runner and enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball with her friends. At age 15, Anni was baptized at the Filadelfia Ost Mennoniten Brüdergemeinde.
In 1958, when Anni was 18, the family moved from Paraguay to St. Catharines, Canada. To learn the language and culture, Anni worked as a live-in nanny for the Darte family. She attended Eden High School for one year and later attended Zion Mennonite Brethren Bible School in Kitchener for one year. Anni became a member of Scott St. Mennonite Brethren Church when she first came to St. Catharines and was an active part of Scott St Church her entire life.
Anni chose a career as a hairdresser and opened her own salon, “Le Petit,” near Scott Street Church. As her family grew, she moved the business into her home’s basement. Word of mouth was her only advertisement and she always had an abundance of clients. Her clients were faithful, returning not just for her skill, but for her listening ear and words of encouragement. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, Anni’s clients became cherished friends.
Family was foundational in Anni’s life. She held a deep bond with her parents and brother, often turning to them for counsel and wisdom. On October 7, 1972, she married Waldemar Dischke, and they soon welcomed their children, Wendy and Denny, into the world. As a devoted wife and mother, Anni poured her heart into her home, ensuring her family was always well-presented and nourished with home-cooked meals, canned fruits, and fresh baked goods. She delighted in her grandchildren and remained a faithful prayer warrior, lifting her family up to God every day.
Anni found solace in beauty and attention to detail. This care was evident in every corner of her life, from the pristine household she kept to the impressive, weed-free vegetable and flower garden she tended. She shared her eye for beauty through making flower arrangements and creating beautiful designs for the quilting group. Anni also found great joy working at the MCC Benefit Shop, where she found deep friendships and delighted in helping donated items find new life and new homes.
Faith was the cornerstone of Anni’s life, serving as an unshakeable foundation through her many medical challenges. Finding constant solace and strength in God, she faced cancer at the end of her life with peace and assurance that she would enter into the presence of Jesus.
The family would like to thank the staff at Tabor Manor Supportive Housing, who went above and beyond to care for Anni at all hours of the day. Thank you also to Dr. Elaine O’Reilly and Dr. Conen for outstanding care. Special appreciation is extended to the staff at Hospice Niagara — The Stabler Centre — for ensuring her comfort in so many different ways during her final days.
Visitation will take place on Monday, May 11th, 2026 at 9:00am with her Celebration of Life beginning at 10:30am. All being held at Scott St. Mennonite Brethren Church in St. Catharines (339 Scott Street), followed by a reception. The family will hold a private interment.
