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Official Obituary of

Sister Martha Ann Rifner

March 1, 1925 ~ January 16, 2021 (age 95) 95 Years Old

Sister Martha Rifner Obituary

SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS - Sister Martha Ann Rifner died at Jan. 16,2021, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born in Muncie, IN, on March 1, 1925 to Oliver and Anna Barth Rifner and was baptized Mary Viola.
Sister Martha Ann entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Feb. 2, 1953 and professed Final Vows Aug. 15, 1960. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master's degree from Indiana State University.
Of her 68 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a primary teacher for 32 years in schools in Indiana and Illinois. She taught at St. Margaret Mary School in Terre Haute from 1968 to 1977. In 1987 she returned to the motherhouse and served as director of transportation for 14 years. After that she continued to minister to her sisters in multiple ways.
Sister Martha Ann was a woman dedicated to prayer and to loving service. She was always ready and willing to contribute to the smooth running of any convent or school event. Renowned for her homemade candy and breads, she led, until the pandemic descended in March, an exercise group each morning. As part of the pandemic precautions, she daily sanitized one of the four residential kitchens in Providence Hall, a practice she did until a week before her death.
Sister Martha Ann is survived by nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews and even great-grandnieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by two sisters, Sister John Mary Rifner, SP, and Agnes Schortgen; and a brother, John H. Rifner.
Due to the restrictions on group meetings, her wake and funeral are not open to the public. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence on Jan. 22. DeBaun Funeral Homes and Crematory assisted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876. Online condolences may be made to www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.

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