Thomas E. “Gene” Rice, 81, of Helena, peacefully passed away on Thursday morning, November 10, 2011 at home, surrounded by his wife and children. Gene lost his seven-year battle with lung cancer.
Gene was born at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena on February 12, 1930, the first of four children, to Thomas and Florence Rice. He was baptized at the original St. Paul’s Methodist Church. He attended Kessler School, was selected by Helena High School faculty to be a delegate to Montana’s first Boys State in 1947, and graduated in 1948.
Gene enlisted in the Air Force at Great Falls AFB in September 1950. He served in the Korean Conflict – stationed at Haneda AFB, Tokyo, Japan and at Kwajalien (Marshall Islands) from 1951 – 1952. He received the Korean and UN Service Medals and was honorably discharged in September 1952. Later, Gene enjoyed attending and hosting annual 1503rd ATW Squadron reunions.
Gene met Mary Jane Cerney at a New Year’s Eve country dance at the Austin school in 1950. They were married at St. Paul’s Methodist Church on November 11, 1952. Gene and Mary Jane had three children – Tom, Merry, and Kim.
Gene lived his entire life in the 1930s-built family home on Spring Street. Enjoyment of woodworking and building led Gene to remodel and enlarge the home with the help of Mary Jane and others. Later, Gene enjoyed teaching his son, son-in-laws, and grandsons how to build and remodel their homes.
Gene did his auto mechanic apprenticeship at Nash Auto Dealership in 1949. Gene worked for the State Highway Department testing lab from 1954 – 1977. During much of this time, he also served as treasurer of State Capitol Employees Credit Union (Rocky Mountain Credit Union). He went to work at the Credit Union full-time in 1977 and served as President from 1978 until he retired in June 2005.
Family was an important part of Gene’s life. Aside from the many “family dinners”, Gene also took his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to Washington D.C. in 2004 and 2006. Gene’s love of travel also led to European adventures in 2007 with Merry, Gary, Kim, and Bill, and in 2008 with Cory and Nolan.
Gene’s memberships included the Helena Masonic Lodge #3 for 60 years and Helena Rotary Club for 30 years. Gene’s Helena community interests included Boy Scouts, the Festival of Trees, serving on the Kessler and Helena High School Boards for 25 years, and working on the Last Chance Stampede Queen contest for five years. Gene was known for his generous donations to Intermountain Children’s Home in the form of a Festival tree at Christmas-time and a pig or beef at the local 4-H livestock sale each summer.
Gene will be laid to rest in his famous “blue pinstripe, double-breasted suit” that he purchased in 1947 for a Rainbow dance and wore at his wedding and later at his 50th wedding anniversary celebration.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruby Ann Heisey; and in-laws, Cliff and Bertha Cerney.
Gene is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Jane; son, Tom (Sharon) of Dillon; daughters, Merry (Gary) Lunde and Kim (Bill) Susag both of Helena; grandsons, Nolan Rice of Twin Falls, ID, and Mike Rice and Cory Lunde both of Helena; granddaughters, Megan (Devin) Alfson and Kelsey (Miles) Bell both of Helena; and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Madison Rice, Mackenzie Lynch, and Dominic Bell all of Helena. He is also survived by his brother, Francis (Ardis) Rice of Helena; sister, Esther (Kyle) Dearing of Vancouver, Washington; brother-in-law, Noel Heisey of Boise, Idaho; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was blessed with many close friends.
Remember everyone – “Jack Daniels fixes all problems” – have one for Gene!!
Gene’s entire family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Tom Weiner and all the staff of the St. Peter’s Hospital Cancer Center; and to the caring ladies from Hospice of St. Peter’s.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, November 14th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A funeral service celebrating Gene’s life will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 15th at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Interment with military honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison. A reception will then be held at Jorgenson’s Holiday Inn Restaurant immediately following the burial. Memorials may be sent to Intermountain Children’s Home, St. Peter’s Cancer Center, Hospice of St. Peter’s, or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Amanda Sloan says
I am very sorry for your loss. Gene hired me in 2000 at, then State Capital Employees CU. Although I spent many years away from the CU, I will always remember the man that gave me that “chance”. I will always remember him for his strong will and dedication. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Arlene Bailey Hunt says
Mary Jane and families, I am so sorry to read of the passing of Gene. Treasure all the precious memories you have and that will help you to get through.God bless you all.
Bonnie Holman says
Dear Mary Jane & family,
It was with a heavy heart that I read of Gene’s passing. He was such a special man. Full of kindness, caring & compassion, I feel most fortunate to have known him & proud to call him my friend. Our community has truly lost one of it’s gemstones. Know you will be in my thoughts & prayers.
Warmest regards,
Bonnie
Carolyn K. Pelletier says
To The Rice Family, Very sorry to read of the passing of Gene. I am glad his family was round him. I know you have many memories to help you through this difficult time. My very deepest sympathy.
Dan and Sherry Biggerstaff says
Mary Jane, Tom, Merry, Kim and families, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Gene will be missed, but we will always remember him for all his support and kindnesses for our family over the years. May all the good memories comfort you.
Dawn and Tim Clark says
Dear Mary Jane and Family,
We were sorry to hear of Gene’s passing, but he is in a better place and no more pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dee Feddes says
Mary Jane & family, I am so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. I know he was ill but the hole left behind is so big. My heart goes out to all of you. I would be there to give you a special hug but am in Florida for the winter. You are in my thoughts and prayers every day. Gene was such a nice man & I know he loved all of you so much! Treasure all the memories, they are precious! God Bless, Dee
ed hall / joanne hall says
A good man. Wish I had known of the funeral/memorial.
Gail Williams Hatch says
My sincere condolences to Mary Jane and Family. Gene was a great person and a wonderful jokester. He will be sorely missed.
Helen Richter says
To the Rice family,
I was sorry to hear that Gene passed away. I worked with Gene when I was on the Board at the credit union. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. With deepest sympathy
Helen Richter
Kelli Kaufman says
Kim and family, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kerri Rask says
Mary Jane, I am so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing, my prayers are with you and your family. Gene was an angel on earth for my family over the past few years, he gave us the courage and strenth to keep a stong faith and to never give up hope. He will always be remembered for his genuine kindness and concern that he had for others. Gene had a strong character and it was an honor to have known him. God Bless you and your family, Kerri Rask
Kristi & Lee Paulsen says
Mary Jane and family, We were so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May our Lord surround you with is loving arms and give you peace.
Lynne Maierle says
We will miss Gene. He was one of our favorites. I’ll say special prayers for all of you as I decorate the American Fed. tree. You both have done so much for our community – the Festival of Trees is only one of many!!
Martin Family says
We’re so sorry to learn of Gene’s passing. We hope the happy memories of how much he enjoyed his family and friends bring you some lighter moments during this sad time. We love you —
Tom Sheila Evan & Emma
Rhonda Strainer says
Dear Rice Family,
I’m very sorry for your loss. May all the wonderful memories that are sealed within your heart sustain you in the days ahead.
Rhonda Strainer (Skip Score’s wife)
Rick & Terri Smith says
Mary Jane, Tom, Merry, Kim and families,
We were so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. He was a wonderful man and we are so very thankful we had the chance to get to know him and your family. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rick & Terri Smith
Rick Later says
With SINCERE sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sheryl Snell says
Gene was one of the most dynamic people that I have had the honor to know and work for. He will be missed. The world is a little sadder with his passing.
Shirley Cole says
Mary Jane and family. I was very saddened to read that Gene had passed away. I guess I had not realized he was so ill. My deepest sympathy to you, Tom, Merry and Kim and their families. My how time passes so quickly as it seems not very long ago we were doing things at Kessler for the kids. Again, my deepest sympathy and I regret to tell you that I will not be able to attend Gene’s services as I have a previous event that I have to attend. It is our 15th AnnualCelebrate Adoption at the Capitol. This event is the only thing that would keep me away from being there. May God bless you all and Gene is His hands right now. Take care everyone and I will keep you all in my prayers that God grants you peace.
Tom and Karla Dedman says
Mary Jane and family. Karla and I offer our sad condolences to you on Gene’s passing. Like many, many others Gene was a mentor to me (tom) and I am honored to have been one of those many. His dedication and service to everything he did is a testament to his personality and to his outlook on life. His legacy is one in more than a million!
Tom Jeri Heather Domme says
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tracy Mabry says
So, so sorry about Gene! He was such a great guy! Sympathy to all….I will miss seeing and visiting with him! Love to you all.
Wade and Shelley Whitmus says
Mary Jane and Family: You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of the passing of Gene. We celebrate his life and know that he is finally at peace and not suffering. Gene was a good friend and credit union mentor to us. We so appreciated how dedicated he was to helping credit unions grow, succeed, and better serve their members. Gene touched many lives. We will remember his quick sense of humor, laugh, and smile. Gene is not gone for we will always dearly hold memories of our time together. May our Lord be with you all and comfort you at this time.
Wade, Shelley, and Shannon Whitmus