Irene L. Rice

KALONA- Irene Lucille Rice was born December 13, 1930 in Iowa City, Iowa the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Wanning) Rogers. Irene graduated from Iowa City High School in 1949. On September 3, 1952, she was united in marriage to Francis Rice in Iowa City. They lived in Riverside, Solon and Mt. Vernon. Following Francis' death, she moved to Kalona in 2002. Irene worked at Northwestern Bell, University of Iowa, Iowa State Bank, Aldens and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member Of St. Mary Catholic Church in Solon and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond, Altar and Rosary Society, The Foresters, Linn County Porkettes, and Linn County Farm Bureau. Irene enjoyed farming with Francis, tending to her chickens, baking, frequent day trips with her sister Mary and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Irene passed away Thursday, October 29, 2015 at Pleasantview Home at the age of 84 years.

Irene is survived by her sister Mary E. Rogers of Iowa City, Iowa; 7 children: Patricia (Randy) Troyer of Kalona, Iowa; Michael (Kathy) Rice of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; Sandra (Barry) Schloss of Tabor, South Dakota; Jane (Larry) Crochet of Santa Fe, Texas; Mary (Kevin) Emge of Grinnell, Iowa; Barbara (Bob) Rice-Wisthoff of Michigan City, Indiana; Joan (Doug) Williams of Danville, Iowa; 21 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Irene is preceded in death by her parents and husband of 44 years in 1996.

Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 AM Friday, November 6, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Riverside. Rev. David Brownfield PhD and Rev. Rich Adam will officiate. Burial will be 2:00 pm at St. Mary's Cemetery in Solon. Visitation will be Thursday from 3:30 to 8:00 at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona, where a Rosary will be recited at 3:30 pm. A memorial fund has been established for Christian radio station Life 101.9 and Pleasantview Home continuing education fund.