Sara Ann Riffel Ames    1917 - 2011
ELLINWOOD — Sara Ann Riffel Ames, 93, passed on June 1.
She was born Dec. 12, 1917 in Wakeeney, the daughter of Jacob and Mary Hanhardt Riffel
She was the youngest of six children, all of whom are deceased. Sara Ann grew up on a farm near Timken, and after graduating from high school, she continued her education at Fort Hays College. She played the clarinet in the band and pursued other musical interests while attending college.
She transferred to St. Rose Nurse’s Training in Great Bend her second year and completed the required hours for her practical nurse license.
During this time she met and fell in love with Wilbur Russell Ames II of Claflin. They married and raised four children — Wilbur (Bill) Russell Ames III, Kansas City; Karolyn Sue Bellamy, Escondido, Calif.; John Leland Ames and David Charles Ames, Ellinwood. Together, they farmed the family’s land northeast of Ellinwood. In 1956, they moved to Ellinwood where she has resided for the last 55 years.
Upon Russell’s death, Sara Ann remained in Ellinwood and became reacquainted with Frank Roesler a long-time family friend. Sara Ann was full of fun, determination, and had an enormous strength of character and truly loved her family and friends. All who knew and loved her will miss her wisdom and her fun loving spirit.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Sunflower Polka Club, and she especially loved her bridge groups and took a great deal of pride in becoming an accomplished bridge player. She played bridge until just recently when she fell ill.
Sara Ann leaves behind her four children; daughter-in-law Gayle and son-in-law John; her very special friend, Frank Roesler, and Vicki Morris; five grandchildren, Wilbur Russell Ames IV, Lake Stevens, Wash., Lorie Mach, Lincoln, Neb., Susan Sugihara, Garden Grove, Calif., Jane von Duering, Temecula, Calif.; and Jennifer Craft, Carlsbad, Calif.; and nine great-grandchildren, Lauren and Jacob von Duering; Kaitlyn and Dylan Sugihara and Carson Craft; Sara and Reanna Mach; and Christopher and Russell Allen Ames. She had two step-grandchildren Margaret Ann Dejarnett, Kirkland, Wash. and Stephen Edwards, Minneapolis, Minn.; and six step-great-grandchildren. 
Graveside services are scheduled at 11 a.m., Monday, at the Lyons Municipal Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday at the Birzer Funeral Home in Lyons and  from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Monday prior to the service.
In her rememberance and in lieu of flowers, donations to Ellinwood United Methodist Church or Ellinwood Emergency Medical Services in care of Birzer Funeral Home.

Funeral arrangements provided
Birzer Funeral Homes**
P.O. Box 89
Lyons, KS, 67554
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 3, 2011