Gladys E. Rife
September 9, 1921 ~ May 28, 2012
Gladys E. Nicolaysen Rife, 90, of Mechanicsville, died Monday, May 28, 2012 at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids from an apparent heart attack. Gladys' visitation will be Sunday, June 3, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., at Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon. Gladys' funeral will be 10:30 a.m., Monday at the funeral home. Gladys will be buried next to her husband in Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville. A light lunch will be served at the Memorial Building, Mechanicsville, following the committal service. Surviving Gladys are two daughters: LaDonna (Bob) Seligers, Des Moines and Roxy (John) Nanke, Mechanicsville, a daughter in law, Marion Rife, six grandchildren, Kendra, Terrie, Jim, John, Christa and Elizabeth, and six great-grandchildren. Preceding Gladys in death were her parents, husband, and son Ronald Rife. Gladys was born September 9, 1921, in Roma, Idaho, third child of Nick and Hattie Alice "Allie" Johnson Nicolaysen. Gladys and her family moved to Mechanicsville as a little girl. She graduated from Mechanicsville High School. Gladys married James "Jim" Rife, June 21, 1941 at Kohoka, Missouri. She worked for the Mechanicsville School for over 40 years. Gladys was a long time member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Royal Neighbors. Gladys enjoyed going out with her friends for lunch, playing cards, "and just being around people". She helped coach students for their speech contest. Memorials in Gladys' memory may be donated to the Mechanicville Ambulance. On-line condolences www.morganfuneralchoices.com.
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Aunt Gladys you were a very special lady. I will always remember you in my heart. Sorry Roxy and Donna for your loss. Sorry I cannot be there with you. Love you
Mrs. Rife was one of my favorite teachers when I was a student at Mt. Vernon High School. She encouraged me to get involved with speech and theater, and I am so glad that I did. Her legacy is that both of my sons are Thespians, and I’ll be coaching our speech team next school year. Thank you Mrs. Rife!
Family of Mrs. Rife: Your mother, grandmother was my English and speech teacher in high school at Mt. Vernon. She was so stern, a very tough teacher, but I now remember her as one of my most influential teachers. I am sorry for your loss. Susan Hansen Aragon
That practice of method articulation was passed to my children when they mumbled a response growing up, and to this day, I occasionally will hear our youngest say, “speak the speech, daddy”, in response to something I’ve said.
To the family of Mrs Rife, your mother and grandmother was indeed special, and certainly memorable. I was the fifth Ipsan to be taught in her HS English class, and while not the most teachable of the clan, Mrs Rife made me her project. After 35 years, my memories of her and her cure for mumbling are as clear today as her message then. I am not sure how often in a class period she would call on me for an answer, however when she did, and my response was not articulated to her liking, she would make me stand and recite, ‘speak the speech I pray you, as I pronounced it to you; trippingly on the tongue’