The Life of MARY OLSEN RIBER
Mary Olsen Riber, 87, died at Trinity Center at Luther Park on Sunday, November 9, 2014. A Memorial Service will be held at Luther Memorial Church in Des Moines at a later date. A Private burial of cremated remains will take place at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery in Des Moines at a later date.
Mary Olsen was born in Des Moines and was a missionary in India for 26 years with her late husband, Rev. Harold N. Riber. After his death she was employed as a secretary at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America office and then at Grand View College. She was a member of Luther Memorial Church, the Danish Brotherhood, Danish American Heritage Society, Grand View College Alumni Association, East High Alumni Association, and the Des Moines Senior Singers. She enjoyed corresponding with family and friends both by email and snail mail, singing, dancing, knitting, and telling jokes.
Survivors include three sons, Kris (Wendy) of Islamabad, Pakistan, Karl (Sarah) of Herberton, Australia and John (Louise) of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania; one daughter, Emmy (Bengt) Ageros of Portland, Oregon. Mary is also survived by two brothers, Donald (Barbara) of Rochester, Minnesota, and Harold (Carole) of Altoona; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Emma Olsen; brother, Berger; and sister, Elsie Johansen.
Memorials may be sent to her church, Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316.
Mary Olsen was born in Des Moines and was a missionary in India for 26 years with her late husband, Rev. Harold N. Riber. After his death she was employed as a secretary at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America office and then at Grand View College. She was a member of Luther Memorial Church, the Danish Brotherhood, Danish American Heritage Society, Grand View College Alumni Association, East High Alumni Association, and the Des Moines Senior Singers. She enjoyed corresponding with family and friends both by email and snail mail, singing, dancing, knitting, and telling jokes.
Survivors include three sons, Kris (Wendy) of Islamabad, Pakistan, Karl (Sarah) of Herberton, Australia and John (Louise) of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania; one daughter, Emmy (Bengt) Ageros of Portland, Oregon. Mary is also survived by two brothers, Donald (Barbara) of Rochester, Minnesota, and Harold (Carole) of Altoona; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Emma Olsen; brother, Berger; and sister, Elsie Johansen.
Memorials may be sent to her church, Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316.