Anita Ruth Wiederaenders Diebenow

Anita Ruth (Wiederaenders) Diebenow passed away on September 12, 2026. She is missed by her family, her friends, and her church. Anita was committed to serving others throughout her life – in her family, in her professional career and as a vocation. Her family asks that you remember them in your prayers.

Anita was born on January 30, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas. She was the second of seven children born to Rev. Dr. Roland P. Wiederaenders and Ruth Emily Pauline nee Kunkel, both from Clifton, Texas. As the oldest daughter in the family, Anita learned at an early age how to care for younger siblings.

Anita loved her family! She was a devoted supporter and encourager for her late husband Rev. Peter Diebenow, a pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. She adored her two sons, Steven and Nathan. Raising them to be the accomplished men they are today was the biggest joy of her life. When her grandchildren came along – Erich, Atlantic and Raleigh – Anita was overjoyed to share in their lives.

Anita received a Diploma in Nursing from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, MO; a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from University of Texas – Arlington and a Masters Degree in Nursing from Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas.

Anita’s special professional interest was always caring for children, and that was reflected in her 50-year career. Her knowledge and compassion for children was expressed in positions she held, whether it was as a staff nurse at Ft. Worth Children's Hospital and Cook Children’s Hospital, in Dr. Scroggie’s pediatric practice in Ft. Worth, or in leadership positions, such as Clinical Coordinator and then Director of Maternal-Child Nursing at Broward General and as Director of Maternal-Child Nursing at Hollywood Memorial, in Hollywood, Florida, or Director of Nursing for Maternal-Child at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

Some might say that Anita was destined to be a nurse. She was named after her aunt Anita Wiederaenders, who trained to be a nurse at Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing (Anita Diebenow’s alma mater) and served for several years as Director of Nursing at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton, Texas.

Anita also loved teaching. She expressed this passion in all her positions, but especially when she joined the faculty of McLennan County Junior College School of Nursing in Waco, Texas. Whenever Anita encountered one of her former students providing care to patients at Goodall-Witcher, she expressed great pride at their knowledge and compassion.

Throughout her life, Anita enjoyed activities at church, outside her family and work. As the wife of a pastor, Anita was an active partner to Peter in his ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clifton, and served as the secretary of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She also volunteered at the Living Nativity at Immanuel Lutheran in Clifton, Texas. When she was asked to serve as the parish nurse at Peace Lutheran Church in Hurst,Texas, she enthusiastically accepted the opportunity. In her 30s, Anita was part of a clowning troupe that performed at children’s parties in the DFW Metroplex. In her retirement years, Anita enjoyed travelling, attending performances at the Bosque Arts Center, and hosting a book club. While living at Lutheran Sunset Ministries Heckmann Residence, Anita welcomed new residents, a role that brought her joy.

Anita was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Peter Diebenow and her parents Rev. Dr. Roland Wiederaenders and Ruth Emily Pauline nee Kunkel.

Anita is survived by her son Steven Diebenow and his wife Ashley, and their three children, Erich, Atlantic and Raleigh of Jacksonville, Florida, and her son, Nathan Diebenow of Clifton, Texas. She is also survived by six siblings: brother Roland P. Wiederaenders II and his sons, Roland and Matthew; brother John A. Wiederaenders and his spouse Guadelupe Rojas; sister, Miriam Casey and her spouse Bob Wohlsen and her son, David Casey; sister Elizabeth Seeley and her spouse Richard Seeley and their children, Julia and Ian and his spouse Karine; brother Jim Wiederaenders and his spouse, Lee Holt, and their children, Maury and Evan; and sister Karen Davis, and her children, Shelby Matillano and her husband James and their sons Joshua James and Arthur Conrad, and Elliot Davis and his spouse Nina Sobierajski and their son Adam Pawul Davis.

A funeral service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clifton, Texas on Friday, September 18, 2026 at 2 p.m. followed by interment in Clifton Cemetery at 3 p.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church (1:00-2:00 P.M.)

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider a donation to:

• Immanuel Lutheran Church - Clifton, Texas (911 W. 3rd St., Clifton, TX 76634)
• Goodall-Witcher Healthcare Foundation - Clifton, Texas (P.O. Box 549, Clifton, TX 76634)
• Lutheran Sunset Ministries - Clifton, Texas (P.O. Box 71, Clifton, TX 76634)
• A children’s charity of your choice