Helen Rife

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, Helen Rife went to join our Savior and her soulmate, Sam.

Helen was born Nov. 9, 1938, to Leslie (Pete) and Bertha (Perry) Fuhrman at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital.

She graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1956. She attended Iola Junior College, then later graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1961 with a teaching degree.

On July 30, 1961, Helen was united in marriage with the love of her life, Sam Rife, at the Bronson United Methodist Church. They made their home north of Bronson, Kansas, where they farmed and milked cows. Helen also taught school in Welda and Mont Ida in the early years. In later years, she taught at Mildred, Blue Mound, and Moran. 

Helen enjoyed teaching and working with all the children; she often went above and beyond to help her students succeed. After starting their family, Helen stayed home and helped work the farm, growing a huge garden every year, fixing meals daily for the farmhands, and later serving two meals a day to nearly 14 men putting in the rural water line. 

Helen also traveled many miles hauling 4-H kids to judging events and even took her first plane ride transporting 4-H kids. This journey also yielded her first and only traffic ticket.

The Lord knows how to place children with special needs in the hands and hearts of those who can handle it. Helen not only handled this firsthand in her own life but devoted her later years to serving those children by obtaining her master’s in special education at the age of 65 and finishing her teaching career teaching Special Education at Marmaton Valley Elementary.

Helen had a true servant’s heart, whether it was preparing a feast for the family, introducing you to everyone at a gathering, or making sure everyone had a gift or prize for their efforts. She found great joy in any outdoor activity that involved animals and nature. 

Sharing family time together, working cows, ice skating, or riding horses always seemed to be where she loved to be.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Leroy Fuhrman; most recently, her husband, Sam Rife on March 18, 2025; one daughter, Jo Lene Rife; and sisters-in-law, Deanna Fuhrman and Marian Thomas.

She is survived by her brothers, Harley Fuhrman and Beverly and DeWayne Fuhrman and Sherryl West; her daughter, Regena Lance and Loren, all of Bronson, Kansas; two granddaughters, Korenne Schmidt and John and Lydia Gable and Ty, both of Moran; five treasured great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson, along with several very special nieces and nephews.

The family will greet friends and family from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 11,  in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. 

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 12, in the chapel at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. Burial will immediately follow in the Osage Valley Cemetery, rural Bronson. 

Memorials are suggested to Mildred United Methodist Church, and can be left in the care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.