Irene Rice

IRENE RICE

Kalona

Irene Lucille Rice passed away Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, at Pleasant-view Home at age 84.

Irene was born Dec. 13, 1930, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Wanning) Rogers. Irene graduated from Iowa City High School in 1949. On Sept. 3, 1952, she was united in marriage to Francis Rice in Iowa City. They lived in Riverside, Solon and Mount Vernon. Following Francis' death, she moved to Kalona in 2002.

Irene worked at Northwestern Bell, University of Iowa, Iowa State Bank and Aldens, and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond, Altar and Rosary Society, 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 grand-children and great-grandchildren.

Irene is survived by her sister, Mary E. Rogers of Iowa City; seven children: Patricia (Randy) Troyer of Kalona, Michael (Kathy) Rice of Mount Vernon, Sandra (Barry) Schloss of Tabor, S.D., Jane (Larry) Crochet of Santa Fe, Texas, Mary (Kevin) Emge of Grinnell, Barbara (Bob) Rice-Wisthoff of Michigan City, Ind., and Joan (Doug) Williams of Danville; 21 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 44 years in 1996.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Riverside. The Rev. David Brownfield, Ph.D., and the Rev. Rich Adam will officiate. Burial will be 2 p.m. at St. Mary's Cemetery in Solon. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m.

A memorial fund has been established for Christian radio station Life 101.9 or donor's choice.

Messages may be sent to the family at www.powell

funeralhomes.com.