Madeline Mae Rice

Madeline May Rice, age 89, passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at The Villa in Rose City. She lived in Rose City since 1969 with her husband John (Jack). Before that they moved periodically serving in the pastorate. She was born on August 2, 1931 in Martinsburg, West Virginia to Melvin and Ivia (Dick) Kilgus.

Madeline graduated from Hughesville High School in Pennsylvania in 1949 and then went on to attend college at Cleveland Bible College in Ohio. On September 4, 1953, she married Jack. She worked to help put her husband through college. Madeline was a bus driver for the West Branch Rose City School District for 25 years and drove the South Branch route. In addition to driving bus, she worked at the school doing various jobs. She was a classroom aid, janitor, playground supervisor and painter. Madeline always had a servant’s heart, willing to help out in whatever capacity she could.

After retirement Madeline continued to serve in ministry. She went on mission trips to Jamaica, played the organ and piano at church, made the weekly bulletin, and sang in the choir. She faithfully served as a pastor’s wife through the years. She loved dogs, having tea parties with her grandkids, and always had the family over for Sunday dinners. She always made the best birthday cake.

Madeline is survived by her children, Betty (Paul) Goodwin of Massachusetts, Cheryl (Cliff) Gamber of St. Louis, MI, and Roger (Kimberley) Rice of Rose City; grandchildren, Nathan (Joanna) Goodwin, Matthew (Tammy) Goodwin, Katherine (Chris) Bowditch, Charlotte (Marshall) Landry, Hannah Rice, Casey Gamber, Cameron Gamber, and TuNyei Goodwin; eight great grandchildren; and her sister, Pauline (Ivar) Johnson of PA. She is preceded in death by her, husband, Jack Rice, her parents and brother, Dick Kilgus.

Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in Rose City, MI will begin on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Lupton Friends Church with burial to follow at Lane Heights Cemetery. Mel Killinger and Greg Rice will officiate.

Memorial contributions can be made to the family.

Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com