Mary Rief

March 6, 1913 - September 26, 2010

On Sunday, September 26, 2010, Mary Rief, widow of John Rief, Broadview, Saskatchewan, went to be with her creator at the age of 97 years. The funeral service will be held in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Broadview, Saskatchewan, on Saturday, October 2, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gerald Andersen officiating. Music will be provided by Mrs. Teddie Rif of Regina. Interment will be in the Broadview Cemetery. Casket Bearers will be Ron Fleece, Ron Rif, Paul Kruesel, Garth Fleece, Rhonda Hill and Ken Kirschman. A noon luncheon will be provided by St. Paul's Ladies in the church basement following the interment.

Predeceased by her parents Heinrich and Marie (Geres) Mann; husband John; brothers: Joseph, Henry, Jack, John and Edward and Jacob in infancy; one sister Caroline (Lena) Weber; six brothers-in-law: Nick Fleece, Irvin Donnelly, Ev Cantlon, Otto Rif, John Chudyk and Karl Weber; two sisters-in-law Martha Beutler and Walda Mann; two nieces Hilda Mann and Linda Rif; one nephew Bobby Cantlon; and one great-great newphew Joshua Kruesel.

Mary leaves to mourn, her sisters Dorothy Rif and Helen Chudyk of Broadview, and Klara Donnelly of Yorkton, Saskatchewan; brother-in-law Ted (Teddie) of Regina; sister in law Martha Cantlon of Ft. Nelson, B.C.; and her many neices, nephews and cousins. Friends so wishing were asked to make donations to The Joshua Kruesel Memorial Scholarship Fund, Concordia Lutheran Seminary, 7040 Ada Blvd., Edmonton, Alberta, T5B 4E3 or to a charity of choice.

Mary (Maria) Rief was born in Broadview Saskatchewan on March 6, 1913. She was baptized on March 16, 1913 in St. Paul's Lutheran Church and confirmed in the same faith on April 24, 1927. Mary was the eldest daughter in a family of fifteen. Because her mother was asthmatic, Mary had many household responsibilities as well as having to help out on the family farm. She loved school and had hoped to graduate but because she was needed at home, had to guit after receiving her grade eight diploma in 1926. Her passion for learning never ceased and she read continually for enjoyment and knowledge. On December 13, 1936 she was united in Holy Matrimony to John Rief at St. Paul's. They had no family. After her husband died in 1982, Mary had no means of transportation so at the age of seventy, she wrote her driver's test, achieving 100% and learned to drive for the first time in her life. Mary grew up in a family with a strong Christian faith and served the Lord in any way she could, at church and in her life. She taught herself how to play the pump organ and on Pentecost, 1936, began donating her God given talents as church organist, continuing to do so for over sixty five years. In her early years, she also began conducting choir practices from her home. As a member of the Ladies Aid Group, Mary donated many crocheted and embroidered items, and also baked goods. Later she helped out with Vacation Bible School. Mary continued being diligent with her daily devotions and prayers, as her parents had taught them. Besides playing hymns on her pump organ, Mary loved to garden, read, do photography, processing and developing her own film and playing scrabble. She was also an excellent seamstress. Some of her creations included making wedding dresses and veils for herself and her sisters. Although she had no family of her own, she was a constant care giver for her parents, younger siblings and bachelor brothers; cooking, baking and mending for them until their passing or until they went to the nursing home. Anytime someone needed help, Mary would be there be it family or neighbors. In December 2008, Mary moved into the Broadview House and resided there for only two weeks before moving to the Centennial Lodge. She resided there until a few days before her death. Mary passed away peacefully in the Broadview Hospital.

Thankyou to Mary's family and friends for your prayers, support, calls, cards and food donations; the staff of the Broadview House; Centennial Lodge; Broadview Hospital doctors and staff who cared for Mary in any way; to St. Paul's Lutheran Ladies for serving the luncheon and to the Tubman staff for your caring, professional help with arrangements.

Funeral arrangements are in care of Tubman Cremation & Funeral Services, Wolseley, Saskatchewan 1-800-667-8962.