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Star Brown says
March 19, 2021 at 9:53 pmDear Phil and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I worked for several years with Norma. She was a joy to be around and always kind to everyone. No matter what she always had a smile and eager to do her job. Norma was the kind of person that everyone respected and admired.
Star Brown says
March 19, 2021 at 9:55 pmDear Phil and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I worked for several years with Norma. She was a joy to be around and always kind to everyone. No matter what she always had a smile and eager to do her job. Norma was the kind of person that everyone respected and admired.
G Fant says
March 22, 2021 at 3:18 pmBeautiful family. Beautiful spirit, Norma. Blessings to the family and all people of good-will. –Noemi Fant, DoDDS, 1973-2010
Boi Carpenter says
March 30, 2021 at 2:56 amMay the fond memories of laughter, good food, and much love bring you comfort during moments of sadness. May the daily reminders become less painful and become signs that Norma’s love has no boundaries and that she will always be with you.
Zia Yamayee says
April 4, 2021 at 9:33 pmWhen Phil called to tell us that Norma passed away on March 16, I was extremely saddened by the news. I was so sorry to learn that Norma passed on, her passing away surely creates a hole in our lives, in my life. I have great memories of being an “adopted” member of the family for over the last 46+ years. Phil and the rest of the family are in my thoughts and prayers. May Norma rest in peace and we (Phil, Donna and Pamela and the rest of the family) find peace and comfort in the cherished memories of the life, laughter, and love we shared over the years. Zia Yamayee
Norma Bautista Rifner of West Lafayette died at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Medical Center on March 16, 2021. The second youngest of eleven siblings, she was born in Manila, Philippines, on April 19, 1941, to the late Jose Bautista and Dionysia (Miral) Bautista. She came to the United States in 1965 with her sister Gloria and was introduced to Philip Rifner soon afterwards by a mutual friend. They married September 7, 1968 and she became a US citizen in 1973.
Norma worked as deli manager at the West Lafayette Eisner in the late 1970s and early 80s. She quit in 1982 when the family moved to Germany, and upon their return in 1984, she began working for Purdue in Food Service at Wiley and Tarkington Halls. She loved working with the students and watching Purdue athletics, most especially basketball. She liked to remember Matt Painter and Drew Brees when they were students and ate in her dorm. Her wisdom, smile, work ethic, and integrity made her beloved and respected by all who knew her. Norma retired from Purdue in 2004. She and Phil moved overseas again until 2011 when they permanently returned to West Lafayette. Norma enjoyed spending time with family and friends, most especially with her grandson who lovingly called her Nana. She was an amazing cook, and a fiercely loyal and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards with family, watching figure skating, tennis and game shows.
She is survived by Philip, her husband of 53 years; two daughters, Donna (Dean) Fecher of South Bend and Pamela Rifner of Indianapolis; her only grandson, Benjamin, of South Bend; one brother, Virginio Bautista of California, and three sisters, Gloria Cagampang of Florida, and Elsa Bautista and Isadora, both of California. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and by brothers Mario, Artemio, Pepito, and Arturo, all of the Philippines, and Mariano of California, and a sister, Tina Capps, also of California.
No immediate services are planned, but a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.