Sam Rife

On March 18, 2025 the Lord called Sam to saddle up and help gather His Heavenly herd. Melvin "Sam" Rife was born January 7, 1934, in Shaw, Kansas to Preston "PK" and Julia (Rush) Rife.

Sam led an eventful life enjoying many activities, like playing football, rodeoing, singing at amateur shows with his sister, water skiing, playing ice hockey on the Osage River, hunting with his buddies, and serving as a 4-H leader and role model for many. He rodeoed for years, then came home from the Army, and married the one girl he claimed could out ride him. Sixty-three years ago, on July 30, 1961, Sam and Helen Fuhrman were united in marriage. They were blessed with two daughters who completed their family.

In his early years, Sam worked road construction and after getting married, he and Helen settled down on a farm north of Bronson, where they farmed and ranched. Sam spent many years working at the Fort Scott and Paola sale barns, forming many relationships that grew into life-long friendships. Many consider him to have been a permanent fixture in the life of the sale barn, where he spent many waking hours, day and night, helping ensure the legacy of the cowboy lives on forever. He also worked for and retired from Key Industries, where he served as a truck driver for several years, and continued to gain friends wherever he went. For 91 years Sam entertained many with his life's stories and always had a joke or a song for anyone who had time to lend an ear. Sam was the epitome of a true cowboy.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marian Thomas; one daughter, Jo Lene Rife; three nephews, Bill, Paul and Hank Thomas; and one brother-in-law, Leroy Fuhrman.

Sam is survived by his wife, Helen, of their Bronson home; brothers-in-law, Harley and Beverly Fuhrman, and Dewayne Fuhrman; daughter, Regena and Loren Lance of Bronson; granddaughters, Lydia and Ty Gable, and Korenne and John Schmidt, both of Moran; his very special great-grandkids, River, Chet, Kailey, Shelby, and Truman; one great-great-grandson, Beckton; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral for Sam will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the chapel at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas. Burial will immediately follow at Osage Valley Cemetery. Family will greet friends at a visitation the evening prior to the service, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. 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.

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