Lois Ann Rice

Lois Ann Rice, 88, of Kingsford, returned to her Lord and Savior after a brief battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 16, 1926, in Kingsford, daughter of the late Norman Sr. and Catherine (Klein) Mainville. She graduated from Kingsford High School in 1944 and was a lifelong resident of the area. Lois married Robert Rice on April 23, 1949, at the St. Mary Queen of Peace Church in Kingsford, where she was a member since its inception. Robert preceded her in death on September 22, 1985. She worked part time at their place of business, Northern Supply Company in Iron Mountain. Lois was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She was the family party planner for the fun times and through her strong faith, the family “Rock” during the more difficult times. She enjoyed life, traveling to Australia on a memorial adventure with her sisters (Carmen, Earldene and Fran) and brother, Norman, and to Europe with her sister, Fran. Lois was a Snow Bird, wintering in Arizona since the early 1980’s. She enjoyed the first several winters with her brother Norman and sister Earldene in Lake Havasu City, and then moved on to Sun City where she wintered with her sisters Earldene and Fran. While wintering in Sun City, Lois and her sister, Fran volunteered at the American Legion and were members of the Auxiliary. She enjoyed golf, playing several times a week. She was a member of the Pine Grove Country Club with her husband Bob, and became a member of the Oak Crest Golf Course after his passing. During the winter months in Arizona, she was a member of the Sun City recreational Golf Courses. Lois was an avid bridge player, becoming a Life Master in the 1970’s. She gave bridge lessons years back through the Iron Mountain - Kingsford Community Schools. She enjoyed her swimming pool and the opportunity it created to spend hot summer days with friends and family seeking relief from the heat. She especially enjoyed it when her beloved grandsons Bob, Ryan and Jim, and their friends stopped by for a swim after their summer baseball, football or soccer games. She was affectionately called “grandma” by several of their friends. On a daily basis, Lois enjoyed solving word puzzles, games and a good laugh. She is survived by two sons, Randy Rice of Kingsford and Terry (Tina) Rice of Iron Mountain; two daughters, Julie Rice (John Bushmaker) of Wisconsin Rapids and Sue Rice of Neenah, WI; two grandsons, Bob and Jim Rice; a brother, Bernard Mainville; brother-in-law, William Rice (Deloris) and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Lois was preceded in death by her son, Paul Rice; her grandson, Ryan Rice; three sisters, Carmen Valentine, Earldene Johnson (Roy) and Fran (Bob) Gussert; and three brothers, Garland (Mary), Norman and Anthony (known as “Sonny”) Mainville. A celebration of Lois’s life will be held on Monday, January 5th, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:30 am at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Mike Woempner will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be at Dickinson County Memorial Gardens in the spring. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in her memory. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Lois Ann Rice online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Lois Ann Rice

October 16, 1926 - December 30, 2014