Violet Louise Jamison Riffe passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Wellington Health and Rehab in Wellington, Kansas at the age of 92.
She was born on July 7, 1923 in Los Angeles, California to the late Ruth (Betts) Ellis. Violet graduated from Webster High School with the Class of 1941 and went on to receive her teaching certificate at Fort Hays State College. She taught in rural schools in Rooks County, Kansas all the while continuing her education and receiving her BA. After that, she taught third grade for many years at Stockton Grade School in Stockton, Kansas.
On September 12, 1979 Violet was united in marriage to Elton Riffe in Golden, Colorado. They enjoyed many bus trips together before Elton passed away in 1997. Having a heart for serving others, she not only spent a lot of time volunteering, she even helped her mother milk cows on the farm after her step-father passed away. She worked many years at the Methodist Thrift Shop and Museum, and made sandwiches for the blood drives. She was a member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary, Red Hat Society, Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Century Club, and Business Professional Women. In her younger years, she was very active in 4-H.
Violet is survived by her brother Richard Ellis and wife Carolyn of Mayfield; step-son Kenneth Riffe of Stockton; step-daughter Georgia Larson of Winfield; brother-in-law, Darrel Buss and wife Pat of Littleton, CO; nephews Travis Ellis and wife Desty of Springdale, AR, Bradley Buss of Lakewood, CO, and Jason Ellis and wife Carrie of Manhattan; and great-nieces and nephews, Kailyn Ellis, MaKensie Ellis, Rylie Ellis, Will Addair, and Andrew Kent.
She is preceded in death by her parents Clyde and Ruth Ellis; husband Elton Riffe; and sister Barbara Buss.
A funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, July 2, 2016, at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton with Pastor Nick Talbott officiating. Burial will follow in the Stockton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00-8:00pm on Friday at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 6:00-8:00pm.
Memorials are suggested to the Stockton United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.plumeroverlease.com
Violet was a hardworking woman who showed her love by taking care of the people she loved the most, her family, friends, and neighbors, especially children. Never knowing a stranger, if you were blessed to know her, she considered it a blessing to know you. The world is a better place, and countless lives are better off, because she loved us, and will be loved and remembered by us forever.