Antonia (Toni) Schaefer

Antonia lived a full adventurous life, drove until her 90’s, went to church 3-4 times a week, visited family and friends regularly, went out to eat 3-4 times a week. Up until her knee problem in her late 80’s, Toni line-danced, ice skated, cross country skied, walked a mile daily, bicycled, played tennis, and went on yearly pilgrimages to St Anne in Toronto and several other out of state bus trips in addition to many foreign excursions.

She remembered all the birthdays of her children and spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She created something in her kitchen for all … cookies, cake, soup, Italian potato salad, zwetchkendatche and stollen.

God blessed Toni with two miraculous cures from dangerous malignant cancers, both of which were diagnosed and surgically removed within a month of the discovery. One at age 60 and the other at age 89. Both of her recoveries were remarkable, with last being mystical as she was discharged within 24 hours and took no pain medication. Her astonished doctor proclaimed he hadn't seen a recovery like hers in his other patients including the 30 / 40 year olds. Her doctor presented her case to the hospital tumor board because of the complicated diagnosis, the major surgery at age 89, and then her remarkable recovery and cure.

She remained faith filled, joyful and always returned to a happy life despite her many trials and tribulations …always trusting in God and the protection of the Blessed Mother. As with many of her generation, she had endured poverty, war and bombings, homelessness, hunger, life threatening illnesses, inadequate or primitive medical care, long periods of isolation from her immediate family, and had no family' assistance with the births and raising of her four children.

This was followed by the the sudden unexpected shock of widowhood when her beloved husband Wolfgang, died at the early age of 48.

Toni’s number one time commitment was to her beloved Catholic Church. She had traveled to all of the major pilgrimage sights, including Fatima, Lourdes, Jerusalem, Guadalupe, Rome, and Medjugore. She had been a parishioner of the same church for approximately 65 years. In her later days, instead of baking cupcakes and baked goods for the Women's Guild, Toni continued with the meetings, attended Mass 2-3 times a week, and attended devotions for the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy an additional 2-3 times a week.

She had a special love and devotion for Blessed Mother Mary, always following her to her son Jesus.. When Toni was not at church, she prayed the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, every single day. She prayed for each one in her family, calling them by name; children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her family has been blessed by her many prayers and thank her for this priceless treasure…. this tremendous show of love ... though unseen and  hidden, it was the ultimate-gift above all others.

Born March 4th, 1927 in Munich, Germany to the late Josef and Helena Janka. Immigrating to the United States in 1952. Loving wife of the late Wolfgang. Dear mother of Martha (Patrick) Morrin, Angela (Mark) Thomson, Gabriella (Ken) Holt, and Loretta (Gary) Warda. Proud grandmother of Angela (Cory) Waite, Eric (Amie) Kuciban, Matthew (Jenny) Thomson, Natalie (Collin) Dominguez, Mark Thomson, Melanie Thomson, Erica (Matt) Holt, Danielle Holt, Alanna Holt, Alexander (Ashley-Rose) Holt, Monica Warda, Caitlin (Dane) Woody, Hayley (David) Pierzynski, Bridgette Warda, and Alec Warda. Great grandmother of Jackson, Leo, Oliver, Max, Adeline, Madeline, Luke, Philip, Nathanael, Olivia, Antonia, Theresa, Connor, Adam, Audrey, Aaron, Marie, Sabina, Rosalyn, Piper, Shay, Ivy, and Otto. Also survived by nephew Herbert (Johanna) Olvermann, and great nephews Ernst Olvermann and Joerg Olvermann. In addition to her husband and parents, Antonia was preceded in death by a sister Martha Olvermann.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catholic Church of the donors choice for Masses to be celebrated for Antonia.