OBITUARY Diane K. Notch September 12, 1941 – November 28, 2018 Diane Kay (Rife) Notch, age 77, passed away on Nov. 28, 2018 at her Northfield, MN home surrounded by family. Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Dec.
8 at the Main Street Moravian Church (713 Division St. S., Northfield, MN) with visitation one hour prior. Internment will be at 2 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery (2250 St. Anthony Blvd. N.E., Minneapolis, MN.
) Diane was born to Dorothy (Ostvig) and John E. Rife, Sr., in Minneapolis, MN on Sept. 12, 1941 and her early years were spent in rural Scott County and Excelsior, MN. She was a 1959 graduate of Minnetonka High School where she established lifelong friendships that continued to her death.
A 1964 graduate of Augsburg College with degrees in sociology and psychology, she earned her masters of social work from the State University of Iowa in 1970. She devoted 44 years to a career in social work and mental health in Iowa and Minnesota. Diane began her career in Nicolett and Sterns County social services in Minnesota.
Her professional career in Iowa culminated as clinical manager of counseling centers for Central Iowa Health after almost two decades with Broadlawns Medical Center. She had also worked with the Jasper County MentaL Health Center, Vocational Rehabilitation Evaluation Center, Orchard Place Residential Treatment Center and Clarinda Mental Health Institute. In her early retirement she enjoyed challenging students to think critically in introductory social welfare courses at the Des Moines Area Community College.
A longtime hospice volunteer, she also worked with an ALS Support Group for MDA and was a member of the Des Moines Downtown Council of Social Concerns. She served 10 years as a member of the West Des Moines Human Services Advisory Board. Diane’s caring for all people, but especially women and social justice, was demonstrated not only in her profession but volunteer commitments and community activism.
Since 1972 she was an active member of Soroptimist International, dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls leading to social and economic empowerment. Among numerous leadership positions, she was North Central Region Governor, 1990-92. Returning to Minnesota after retirement, she became immersed in the Northfield community, including the Save the Depot Committee.
At Aging Services for Communities she was a devoted volunteer driver and executive board member for six years. She found a treasured church home and family at the Main Street Moravian Church and friends in the community at Fifty North and Curves. Her yearbook listing referred to Diane as “Quiet and shy, or is she?
” She had great depth, passion, and intellect behind a sometimes quiet demeanor. She was known for elegance and dignity but also a whimsical style including lots of hats and bright colors. She was the unique aunt whose gift boxes were always greeted enthusiastically.
Better than “Dear Abby” for advice and counsel, her intuitive, insightful guidance could include honest comments that were dead-on if not always what you wanted to hear. Her support of others’ growth extended to many people she met in all areas of her life. Diane will be greatly missed by many friends and family.
She was the beloved sister 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; and Karen Sue (Errol) Keith, Loudon, TN. Her passing is a great loss to many loving nieces and nephews. She played a special role in the lives of Ryan Schoepp, Columbus, OH; Jennifer Notch (Joe) Selby, Nashua, NH; and John Notch, Sheree (Notch) Archila, and Patti Notch, Des Moines.
She was preceded in death by parents Dorothy and Roman Kopp and John and Helen Rife and brothers Allan Rife, Sr., and Timmy Rife. The family especially appreciates the warm assistance provided by Northfield Hospice, during Diane’s final days. Memorials preferred to the Soroptimist International of the Twin Cities’ Live Your Dream” [sitc.
clubexpress.com/] or Main Street Moravian Church, Capital Fund. [www. mainstreetmoravianchurch.org] Memorials preferred.
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