Vada M. Rieflin

1944 - 2026

Vada M. Rieflin

March 13, 1944 - February 17, 2026

Vada M. Rieflin, 81, of Doniphan, Neb., died Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family.

A private family service will be held with inurnment following in Cedarview Cemetery in Doniphan, Neb. Memorials are suggested to the family with later designation. You are encouraged to sign Vada's guestbook at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under her obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Vada was born March 13, 1944, in Omaha, Neb., the daughter of Edgar and Theresa (Mendyk) Holmgrain. She moved with her family to Doniphan, Neb., graduating from Doniphan High School in 1962. Vada married Duane Rieflin on September 27, 1964, in Doniphan, Neb. They made Doniphan their home raising their three children, Scott, Mary, and Julie. As her children grew, Vada was a den leader for Boy Scouts of America and was involved with Girl Scouts and 4-H. She was secretary at Mid Continent Raceway. You could always find Vada spearheading the Kids Carnival at the Fall Festival and was known as coach to the many girls who played softball. Vada spent endless hours volunteering at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Doniphan School, and the Doniphan community as a whole.

Vada kept a meticulous home and enjoyed decorating and changing out wallpaper. She loved the thrill of the hunt to find antiques that complimented her décor and often times polished them to look new. In the summer you could find Vada riding the lawnmower as she kept her lawn manicured just like her home. She enjoyed weekly ceramic class time and creating her treasures. Vada's greatest joy of her life was her grandchildren, especially her grandson Alex. She raised him as her own from a young age and helped shape him into the man he is today and for that Julie is forever thankful. Vada was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church and its Altar Society.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Duane Rieflin of Doniphan, Neb.; daughters, Mary (Joe) Barton of Lincoln, Neb., and Julie Rieflin of Albion, Neb.; grandchildren, Alex (Jenna) Rieflin, Chase (Taylor) Barton, Grant Barton, Hailey Barton, Teara (Tommy) Etherton, and Kylee Rieflin; and great-grandson, Jack Barton.

Vada was preceded in death by her parents; son, Scott Rieflin, sisters, Nanette Holmgrain and Patty Mattison; and nephew, Benjamin Kinney.