LaVonna (Bell) RIFEN

RIFEN, BELL, FOWLER, MARIETTA, SCHAUMBURG, CARNEY, CARTWRIGHT, CLINE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/22/2009 at 12:16:41

Ames Tribune, Ames, Iowa
June 20, 2009

LaVonna B. Rifen, 76, died Thursday, June 11, 2009, in Phoenix, Arizona of complications from breast cancer. Services have been held. She was born Nov. 11, 1932, in Blairsburg, the daughter of Melvin Bell and Mary (Fowler) Bell. LaVonna graduated from Goldfield High School in 1951, married Dwayne Rifen on Jan. 6, 1953, and lived in the local area until the early 1960s when they moved to Ames. In 1978, the family moved to Phoenix, where she lived the rest of her life. She was a wonderful wife, loving mother of four, cherished grandmother, sister and friend.

She is survived by her children, Mike Rifen, of South Dakota, Kathy (Craig) Marietta, of Arizona, Doug (Elwena) Rifen, of Arizona; grandchildren, Zach and Ben Rifen, of Colorado, Mallory Rifen, Holly Marietta, and Vanessa Rifen, of Arizona; her siblings, Barb (LeRoy) Schaumburg, of Clarion, Laverne (Clara) Bell, of Woolstock, Bernie (Michelle) Bell, of Algona, Mary (Chuck) Carney, of southern California, and Carolyn (Paul) Cartwright, of Louisiana; two sisters-in-law, Judy Bell, of Fort Dodge, and Mary Ann Cline, of Missouri; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwayne Rifen; one son, Steve Rifen; parents; and two brothers, Don and Bob Bell. Contributions may be sent to Hospice of the Valley at 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ, 85014-5656.