Helen L. Rice, age 100 years, 2 months and 10 days, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at Smith Center Health and Rehab, Smith Center, KS.
She was born March 14, 1916 South of Cedar, Kansas, the daughter of Isaac William and Etta May (Martin) Eller. She married William F. Rice on March 26, 1939 in Mankato, KS, by Rev. Rassie Conrad who was an uncle to the bride. To this union they were blessed with four sons, Kelly, Douglas, Stanley and Sidney.
Helen was a homemaker for most her life and fulltime mom raising her four sons but in 1963 she went to beauty school in Salina, KS and at the time she and her family lived there until she graduated. After graduation Helen and her family moved to Gaylord, KS and purchased a home, they then made a Beauty Shop for Helen in the basement of the house for her to work out of. Helen had a successful career as a beautician in Gaylord, KS, she opened her business on April 30, 1964 and retired on December 14, 1997. She worked for over 33 years and was 81 years old at the time she retired due to health reasons.
In June of 2004 she moved to Western Plains Village in Smith Center, KS, in June 2012 she moved to Smith Center Health and Rehab and lived her remaining 4 years of her life there.
Helen was a member of the Church of the Nazarene, Gaylord, KS. She attended faithfully until her health prevented her from doing so.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Bill on November 13, 1969, her parents, two brothers, Ross and Clyde Eller and two sisters, Furn Hamilton and Marple Cole.
She is survived by her four sons, Kelly (Joan) Rice of Emmett, ID, Doug (Connie) Rice of Smith Center, Stanley (Nanette) Rice of Lakin, Sid (Phyllis) Rice of Torrington, WY; eight grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, with Pastors Brian Loreg and Keith Sears officiating. Visitation will be held from 1-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 31, 2016 with family present to greet friends from 6-7 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in the Gaylord Cemetery, Gaylord, KS. Memorials may be given to Gaylord Church of the Nazarene and/or Hospice Services of Smith County, KS.