Allan Werner Rife Sr

Allan Werner Rife, age 78, passed away surrounded by family on November 10, 2017 at his Menahga, MN home. Allan was born to Dorothy (Ostvig) and John E. Rife, Sr., in Chicago, IL on April 24, 1939 and his early years were spent in rural Scott County and Excelsior, MN. He was a 1957 graduate of Minnetonka High School where he was an enthusiastic baseball player and team member in basketball and football. He enlisted in the U.S. Army serving from 1958-61 as a machinist, rising to the specialist second class (E-5).  Most of his enlistment was spent in West Germany and he continued with the U.S. Army Reserve until 1964. After moving to Sebeka, he worked first at the NAPA store and then at Rife Chevrolet.  He enjoyed amateur baseball as a third-baseman for the Sebeka Stingers.   Allan married his first wife Roberta Carpenter of Nimrod in 1962.  They had a daughter, Shawn and son, Allan, Jr. during their 11-year marriage.  On April 16, 1977, he married Joyce Gallentine of Rose Creek and they had a son Cody.  He took pleasure and pride in the varied success of each of his children.  He and Joyce especially loved sharing time with family and hunting. In 1976, Allan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Education and Recreation from St. Cloud State University. He then joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in which he served a 31-year career in heavy equipment, maintenance and habitat restoration. Allan’s career overlapped with his lifelong passion for hunting and fishing. He worked at the Trempealeau (1977-87) and Sherburne (1987-2007) National Wildlife Refuges where he also was active with volunteers.  As an avid sportsman and committed steward of the environment, he was proud of his work in wetland restoration. At Trempealeau he led the Young Adult Conservation Corps. He eagerly shared his knowledge and love for hunting with young people within and outside the family. Many young relatives still remark on his patience, all he taught them, and how much they enjoyed listening to his stories. He was a careful and enthusiastic hunter of duck, geese, turkey, and deer. He especially enjoyed elk hunting in Wyoming and was thrilled when he finally obtained a moose license. At his Menahga home, Allan was able to enjoy closeness to his beloved nature, planting native prairie grasses and watching wildlife and nearby pond. Singing brought him great joy. He sang with the choirs at the First Presbyterian Churches Galesville, WI, and Foley, MN.  Another passion was old and classic cars -- especially Chevrolets.  No mention of Allan is complete without recalling that he was an avid collector of almost anything. Allan will be greatly missed by his immediate family: beloved wife Joyce; daughter Shawn (David) Vazquez of Maquoketa, IA and grandchildren, Jason, Catherine, Maria (Eric) Dunston, Sarah, and great-grandson Liam Dunston; son Allan Jr. (Lisa) of Shoreview and grandson Joshua; and son Cody (Aimee) of Foley and grandchildren, Delayna and Hoyt; long-time friend and caregiver Catherine Hanson of Menahga and life-long buddy Raymond Powell of Hailey, ID.  He enjoyed his role as the oldest brother of siblings: Garry Kopp, St. Paul; Alisa Martin, Worland, WY; Carol Bannerman, Silver Spring, MD; Roman Kopp, Jr (Theresa) Northfield; James (Tanya) Rife, Sebeka; Cherie (Thomas) Smylie, Edgewood, NM; Thomas Rife, Mounds View; John Jr. (Mildred “Tootie”), Nowthen; Diane Notch, Northfield; and Karen Sue (Errol) Keith, Loudon, TN; and uncle to numerous loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Dorothy and Roman Kopp and John and Helen Rife and a brother Timmy Rife.  The family especially appreciates the warm assistance provided by Knute Nelson Hospice, during Allan’s fina days.  Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the American Lung Association or charity of choice. Visitation will be will be from 5-8 on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at the Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Prayer services at will be held at 7 PM.Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at Sebeka United Methodist Church in Sebeka, MN. Interment will be at Meadow Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery.