MARY JANE RICE
(Wife, Fair Lady, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother)
Mary Jane Rice, 84, of Helena, peacefully passed away on Thursday evening, November 22, 2018, surrounded by family.
Mary Jane was born on February 18, 1934 in Helena, MT and raised in Rimini, MT. She was the only child of Clifford and Bertha Cerney. She attended schools in Helena, graduating from Helena High School in 1952.
Mary Jane met Gene Rice at a New Year’s Eve country dance at the Austin school in 1950. They were married on November 11, 1952. Together they had three children: Tom, Merry, and Kim. During their childhood, Mary Jane was a homemaker in their home on Spring Street. She made homemade sourdough pancakes every morning as well as amazing homemade bread. After her kids left home, Mary Jane worked for the Lewis and Clark County Elections office until she retired in 2003.
For 20 years, Mary Jane co-chaired the Lewis and Clark County Fair. She took great pride in her work at the fairgrounds and even donned “Fair Lady” license plates on her car for many years. She was their go-to lady for many things and was amazing at the job she did. Mary Jane has always liked clowns and became a collector of many types of figurines through the years. She displayed them proudly in her china cabinet for everyone to see.
Family was a very important part of Mary Jane’s life. Many “family dinners” were held through the years where the ever-expanding family got together to enjoy each other’s company and play games. In addition, Mary Jane and Gene took their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to Washington D.C., in 2004 and 2006. They also expanded to Europe in 2007 with Merry, Gary, Kim and Bill; and in 2008 with Cory and Nolan. Throughout her grandchildren’s lives, Mary Jane attended many school activities, graduations, sports events, and later weddings and the births of great-grandchildren.
Mary Jane also helped care for her mother and father prior to their passing. After her retirement from the elections office, Mary Jane would visit her mother, Bertha, at the Aspen Gardens home daily. She loved going to visit all the folks in the home and would often provide activities for them to do. Mary Jane moved to Touchmark in September 2014 and later to the Apple Cooney home in 2017.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 59 years, Gene Rice, her aunt, Rae, her brother-in-law, Francis Rice, her sister- and brother-in-law, Ruby Ann and Noel Heisey, and her nephew, Richard Heisey. She is survived by her three children: son Tom (Sharon) Rice of Dillon, MT, and daughters Merry (Gary) Lunde and Kim (Bill) Susag of Helena, MT; her grandchildren: Nolan Rice of Twin Falls, ID, and Mike Rice, Cory (Jessie) Lunde, Megan (Devin) Alfson, Kelsey (Miles) Bell of Helena, MT, and Brian Lunde of Los Angeles, CA; her great-grandchildren Jacob, Madison, Mackenzie, Cody, Dominic, Emilyn, Rowen, and Marin; as well as her sisters-in-law Ardis Rice and Esther (Kyle) Dearing; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary Jane’s family would like to thank the wonderful people of St. Peter’s Hospice as well as those who cared for her at both Touchmark and Apple Cooney.
Viewing will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Monday, December 3rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena. Following the viewing her family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 4th at the funeral home with a graveside service following at Montana State Veterans Cemetery. A reception will be held in the lower level of Jorgenson’s, 1720 11th Ave, Helena, MT 59601 following the graveside service. Memorials in honor of Mary Jane are suggested to Intermountain, 500 S Lamborn St., Helena, MT 59601, or to Hospice of St. Peter’s Health c/o St. Peter’s Health, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Mary Jane.
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday December 3, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday December 3, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday December 4, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Tuesday December 4, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the graveside service
Tuesday December 4, 2018
Jorgenson's
1720 11th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday December 3, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday December 3, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday December 4, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Tuesday December 4, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the graveside service
Tuesday December 4, 2018
Jorgenson's
1720 11th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Share
Robert & Jo Ann Weststeyn says
Tom and Sharon. So very sorry to read this. Sympathy to you and your family
DaNiel says
So sorry for your loss, Tom and Sharon. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Toby DeWolf says
So sorry for your loss. Mary Jane was an amazing lady. She certainly left an incredible legacy behind. Lots of memories of family functions and activities. Prayers are with you!
Kim and Henry Flatow says
Kim and Bill and family. Please accept our deep sympathy in your loss. Hold tight to your memories. You are in our thoughts.
Sandra Carroll says
So sorry for your loss. May God give you His peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Rick Later says
With SINCERE SYMPATHY R.I.P.
Rick & Cooky Later
Sunshine Goss says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Mrs. Rice touched my heart and my life and I will always be thankful for her advice and kindness. She will be greatly missed.
Wendy Stewart says
I will always remember the decor that Mary Jane so proudly displayed at the County Election office. She was such a great lady with a wonderful smile! She will ne deeply missed.
Sheila Martin says
We are so sorry for your loss. We talked this weekend about the times Aunt Merry would take Evan and Emma downtown or to coffee and sometimes see Mary Jane. Lovely memories.
Love,
Tom, Sheila, Evan and Emma
Rhonda Robertson says
Dear Kim and Family,
Our deepest sympathy at this sad time. May the wonderful memories you hold close within your heart sustain you in the days ahead.
Rhonda and Bruce Robertson
Proul Family says
So very sorry to hear of Mary Janes passing. Her and Gene were friends and neighbors of our parents. Even at touchmark she made sure to check on our dad…She will be sadly missed…our thoughts and prayers are with the family . May she Rest In Peace
Lorri & Terry Mullen says
Merry, Kim, Tom & families. We were so sorry to learn about Mary Jane’s passing. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. God Bless all of you.
Frank and Karen Rowan says
Merry, Gary and family,
It is difficult to find the right words that express our sympathy for your loss; please know how much we care for you and your family.
Connie Jerome says
Merry, Kim, Tom and all the family –
What a great loss to your family and to all who had the honor of knowing your mom, Mary Jane
She always had a smile and a warm welcome to whomever she was speaking with.
Her tender and caring ways stayed with me over the years. My prayers are with you all during this most difficult time. Sending you much love,
Connie (Sands) and Kelly Jerome
Jan Donaldson and Mary Anne Guggenheim says
Mary Jane was a wonderful cheerful presence in the voter registration dep’t. Enjoyed knowing her and appreciated her friendly attitude and winning customer service. She will be missed. Jan Donaldson and Mary Anne Guggenheim
Kristi Paulsen says
I worked with Mary Jane at AAA. She was a wonderful and caring woman! I’m so sorry for your loss.
Kristi Paulsen