Obituary of Anni Minna Rybicki

Anni left us on October 11, 2025, to be reunited with her husband of 66 years, Helmut. She was also predeceased by her first, and cherished granddaughter, Tanya, in 2016.

She is survived by her four children, Hans (Joanne) Rybicki of Harriston, Gary (Carol) Rybicki of Cambridge,  Linda (Dieter) Turek of Ayr and Mike Rybicki of Cambridge. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren, Melanie, Dawn, Brandon, Melissa, Matthew, Krista, Alex, Daniel and Kurtis, along with seven great-grandchildren, Molly, Isaac, Riley, Kaylee, Joshua, KJ and Freddy. 

Anni was born on March 31, 1930, in Kade, Germany. She was the last surviving member of a family of eight children including her twin, Paul, and her sister, Lotte, formerly of Kitchener. She had many life-long friends but all the regular card games, afternoon coffee and cake parties and casino trips faded away as her circle became smaller with the passing years.  

Anni came to Canada on her own with a toddler and an infant in 1953 to join her husband who had immigrated to Canada a few months earlier. As most of her family remained in East Germany, it would be more than a dozen years before she was able to return for a visit. As restrictions eased over time, trips home and family visitors to Canada became a welcomed occurrence.

Anni was a long-time resident of Howick Township and lived 50 years on the “farm behind the creamery”. Over the years, Anni undertook a number of ventures including planting and selling cucumbers so she could buy a washing machine. A few years later, her strawberry crop yielded enough to buy a new living room sofa and chair. She loved all kinds of crafts including needle point, knitting, sewing, and crocheting with her best work reserved for the new babies of family and friends. Nothing made her happier than holding a newborn baby.

She enjoyed baking and preparing large family meals proudly boasting how she raised the chicken, duck or goose that was being served and how all of the fruits and vegetables were grown with love in her over-sized garden. In addition to the practical, she always maintained large flower gardens as well.

Later, she lived in Listowel for ten years followed by eight years at Luther Village in the Park in Waterloo.

Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life that will take place in the Gallery at Luther Village, 139 Father David Bauer Dr., Waterloo, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Condolences for the family or donations to Voice (for children who are deaf or hard of hearing) may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.