Juliann A. "Tootie" Riffert

Juliann Agnes "Lamey" Riffert went home to be with our Heavenly Father in the late hours of May 16th 2023. Juliann "Tootie", passed peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones.
Juliann/Tootie was born September 26th 1931, to Edward and Cleanora Lamey, on a farm in St. James Indiana. Early in life, Juliann met the love of her life Jerry Riffert who she would marry in December 26th 1953. They were inseparable in their 70 years of marriage; their hobbies, day-to-day, outings, and ultimately their careers, beautifully intertwined. Juliann and Jerry lived a happy and simple life in Haubstadt Indiana where they would reside for over 65 years, overtime becoming a well-known fixture in town. Throughout those years they would raise four children, Jeff, Jill, Jay, and Jana. As a lover of beauty and hair, Juliann went on to be a hairdresser in a charming handcrafted salon in the basement of their family home, and later her and Jerry co-owned a successful local liquor store, "Maidlows" and "Tom and Jerry's". Years later they decided it was time to retire and live out the rest of their days focusing on their family and nurturing their love.
Holidays spent at the Riffert home were some of the warmest and happiest moments for the whole family. "Tootie" decorated the house top to bottom with festive and cheerful décor and would prepare a feast of everyone's favorite dishes, most importantly her tubs of sugar cookies and bourbon slushes. Her gifts were always thoughtful, and stylish even in her later years. Thankfully, she passed along handwritten recipe cards to her grandchildren who will continue her cherished dishes for years to come.
Above all, Juliann loved her family deeply. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, were the light of her life. She was a devoted family woman who spent most of her days caring for Jerry, their home, and spending time with her closest friends. There wasn't a soul in town who didn't know and adore "Tootie", and look forward to her witty humor and kind heart. Her second home was St. Peter and Paul, where she spent every Sunday and often times other days of the week emersed in prayer and the word of Christ. Anytime she knew someone going through hard times, she made the effort to walk down to the church, light a votive candle and pray for their well-being. Juliann's other hobbies included handing out her famous sugar cookies, being a prayer partner at church, playing various card games, traveling to visit family out of state, volunteering at hospitals, eating out at her favorite restaurants, basking by the pool, and going for walks around the neighborhood.
She also organized the concession stand at the Haubstadt Little League park in 1962, the first year of the Little League program.
While most people forget birthdays or anniversaries, there was never a birthday, holiday, or special event forgotten by "Tootie", who always sent a card and treat to family and friends. She always made sure others knew she was thinking of them, loved them, and that they should be celebrated. She was truly someone special.
Juliann was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Cleanora, sister Ruth May, two brothers Jerry Lamey and Edward Lamey, and son-in-law Chris Reed.
Juliann leaves behind her loving husband Jerry; her four children - Jeff (Carol) Riffert, Jill (Beth) Riffert, Jay Riffert, and Jana (Tom) Reed-Kenney; four grandchildren – Jesse Riffert, Logan Reed, Chase Reed, and Alexis Reed; one great grandchild – Charly Reed. Also 2 sisters; Margaret Emge and Lucille Halbig and 1 brother, Joe Lamey along with countless friends and neighbors whom she impacted during her 91 years of life.
There are no words that can express our gratitude toward our family and close friends who were there for her on the night of her passing. Along with a heartfelt thank you to North River Health Campus for working tirelessly to provide answers and comfort to Juliann and her family the weeks before her passing.
Visitation will be held at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Haubstadt, IN on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 9 to 11:00 AM with a Rosary service beginning at 8:45 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at the church on May 20 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to Juliann's church, Sts. Peter and Paul.
Wade Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.wadefhinc.com.