Olive A. Rife

Olive “Skip” A. Rife of Emporia passed away at her home on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.  She was 93.

Skip was born on April 20, 1931, at Newman Regional Health in Emporia, the daughter of Howard B. and Marian A. Andrews Stead.  She married Horace “Punk” Lyle Hollar on June 9, 1948, in Lyndon, Kansas.  They later divorced in 1966.  She then married David “Bud” J. Torrens in 1967, and he died in 1980.  She later married David A. Rife on July 5, 1985, in Emporia, he died on March 6, 2014.

She is survived by her daughters, Diana (Dude) Hirt and Cheryl (Barry) Smart both of Emporia; daughter-in-law, Laurie Hollar of Morley, Michigan; stepson, Johnny Torrens of Emporia; grandchildren, Tyson (Jenny) Hirt of Wichita, Andrew (Natalie) Smart of Americus, Lindsay Pierce of Americus, Steven (Julie) Hollar, Jr. of Wyoming, Michigan, Jr., Joshua (Jana) Smart of Americus, Hope Niswonger of Michigan, Dakota Hollar of Michigan, and Tyler (Josef) Weber of Ishpeming, Michigan; step-grandson David Torrens of Emporia; great-grandchildren, Courtny Smart, Hayden Hirt, Caleigh Smart, Hunter Smart, Briauhna Pierce, Braxtyn Pierce, Olivia Hirt, Keeley Smart, Colton Hirt, Grady Smart, Charley Wilson, Olivia Niswonger, Kendra Niswonger, Stevie Hollar, Cora Weber, Raylah Weber, Aurora Weber, Mason Hollar, and Abby Hollar.

She is preceded in death by her parents, three husbands, son Steven L. Hollar, grandson Matthew Burenheide, and great-granddaughter Mylie Niswonger.

Skip was an Avon Lady for 40 plus years.  She also worked in the food service for USD 253, and Woolworth and Woolco.  She was a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church, founding member of Lucky Day Extension Unit, VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Civil Defense Group at Broadview Towers, and as her children were growing up, she was active in the PTA.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 28, 2024, at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia.  Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home with burial at Chicago Mound Cemetery southeast of Emporia.  The family invites you to please dress casually.  Memorial contributions to the Emporia Senior Center or Prairie Paws Animal Shelter can be sent in the care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.