Ella Mae Reiff

Ella Mae Reiff, age 86, of Carroll passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at St. John Paul II Parish - Holy Spirit Church in Carroll with Fr. Patrick Behm as Celebrant.  Music for the Mass will be by Jane Heithoff and the Holy Spirit Choir.   Lectors for the Mass will be Megan Leslie and Holly Reiff.  Gift Bearers will be Angelina Whitney, Amber Kennebeck, and Tina Werle.  Eucharistic Ministers will be Lynn Reiff, Paula Reiff, and Karen Schouten.  Casket bearers will be Mike Lee, Jake Kennebeck, Bryce Kennebeck, Kurt Rohrbeck, LeVon Reiff, and Devon Werle.   Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.

Visitation will be held at Holy Spirit Church on Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or R.S.V.P. and may be left at the church.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Ella Mae's family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Born on March 4, 1933 on her family’s farm east of Carroll, she was the daughter of Vincent and Julia (Ludwig) Ricke.  She grew up on the farm and graduated from St. Angela’s Academy.  She was married to Alvin Reiff on April 22, 1952 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Carroll by Fr. N.J. Ruba.  The couple farmed near Chillicothe, MO, for several years until Alvin was drafted into the United States Army.  Ella Mae moved home with her parents while Alvin served during the Korean Conflict.  Upon his discharge from the military they lived in Carroll for two years and then moved back to Chillicothe until 1959 when they came home to Carroll.  Ella Mae was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  She was very active in their farming operation.  She worked at the Carrollton Inn as the head of housekeeping for many years.  She was a member of Holy Spirit Parish.  Ella Mae enjoyed crafts, sewing, cooking, gardening, going to church, and spending time with her family.

Ella Mae is survived by her six children and their families: daughter DeAnn Lee of Johnston, IA, son Lynn Reiff (Paula) of Stanberry, MO, Denise Rohrbeck Meyer (Donald) of Carroll, Doreen Buelt (Brian) of Galesburg, IL, Dixie Whitney (George) of Cabot, AR, and Donna Reiff Kennebeck of Carl Junction, MO; seventeen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; a sister Sr. MarLou Ricke Black Forest, CO; two brothers: Archie Ricke (Lillian) of Carroll and Larry Ricke (Carol) of Parkersburg, IA; several nieces and nephews; and many other extended family members.

Ella Mae was preceded in death by her husband Alvin in 2004; her parents Vincent and Julia Ricke; her sister Phyllis Bluml; two sons-in-law: Ken Lee and Brian Rohrbeck; and a great-granddaughter Bailey.