Obituary of Barbara Riffel

RIFFEL - Barbara Riffel beloved wife of the Late Harvey Riffel formerly of the Rhein district passed away on April 14, 2024. She was 81 years of age.

Barbara Stewart Riffel was born March 22, 1943, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She was the only child of Alex and Flora Yuill. In her early years the family moved to Regina as Grandpa was transferred to instruct at Depot Division with the RCMP.  She took her schooling in Regina, completing high school at Luther College and moving onto her post-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan - Regina campus - where she obtained her Bachelor of Education degree.

During University Barbara met Harvey Riffel and they got married on July 5, 1969. She began her teaching career in Regina, they then moved together onto Swift Current, Pangman, Lipton, and Churchbridge. In 1980, they moved the family to the farm between Ebenezer and Rhein near where Dad’s family primarily was.

Along with helping on the farm, Mom continued substitute teaching in the area for years, primarily at Yorkdale Jr. High School where she met many students and friends. Barbara was also involved in the Yorkton Lion L’s and Order of the Eastern Star.

In 2016, a stroke left Barbara unable to care for herself and she moved into the Yorkton Nursing Home.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Alec and Flora Yuill, husband Harvey Riffel and son Hugh Riffel.   

She leaves to cherish her memory her three children and their families, daughter, Flora (John) Moore and their four children; Matthew, Andrew, Michael and Trinity (daughter Amanda Anderson); son, George (Melonie) Riffel and their two daughters, Erika and Allison; son, Alec Riffel and his two children Rebecca and Ian; as well as numerous cousins, relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were held on Monday, April 22, 2024 from Christ Lutheran Church in Rhein with Pastor Karen Stepko officiating. Interment followed in Christ Lutheran Cemetery with Barbara’s grandchildren, Allison, Erika, Rebecca and Ian Riffel, Mathew, Andrew, Trinity and Michael Moore serving as the Casketbearers. Condolences can be sent to the family at baileysfuneralhome.com  Memorial donations may be made to Christ Lutheran Church

as gifts of remembrance. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral Home.