RICE, Ellen Jane (Butler) - b. March 3, 1942 - d. January 20, 2017

[patyrn]

Ellen Jane Rice, age 74, formerly of Howard, Kansas, passed away January 20, 2017 in Derby, Kansas.  She was born on March 3, 1942 in Blackwell, Oklahoma, the daughter of Metzia and Ellen Gay (Head) Butler.

At an early age, Ellen met a young man named Donald E. Rice.  They married in Oklahoma and raised a family together.  They were married for over 60 years. 

Ellen worked for many years as a Dietary Supervisor at Howard Twilight Manor Nursing Home, but she also helped manage the farm and helped to run a meat locker business.  She loved children, and her home became the neighborhood hangout spot for many of the children.  She worked hard for her family whether it was helping her husband study for college or making clothes and Halloween costumes for her children.  She enjoyed helping her family in any way she could.  She even helped raise not only her children, but many of their nieces and nephews, as well.  She made sure that their lives were full and active and that they wanted for nothing, no matter how little she had to work with.  In her free time, she enjoyed bowling and spending time with kids.

Ellen is survived by her husband, Donald; her daughters, Polly Maher and Patty Rice, both of Derby, Kansas and Peggy Springer and husband, John of Lewis, Kansas; her brother, Frank Butler; her sisters, June Kralicek, Nada Phillips, and Lottie Butler; and 10 grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington,  Howard, Kansas on Friday, January 27, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.  Inurnment will be at Cresco Cemetery near Howard.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.  Memorials have been suggested to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)