Essel Marie Rice

Mrs. Rice died Monday, March 4, 2002, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, Mo.

She was born Sept. 13, 1920, in Kirksville, Mo., the daughter of Oscar “O.A.” and Mary (Phlum) Newton. She graduated from The Teachers College, Kirksville, Mo.

Mrs. Rice retired from Montgomery Ward, Kansas City, Kan., where she worked as a clerk and later became purchase manager. After her retirement, she worked at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in the linen department. She had lived in Ozawkie the past 27 years.

Mrs. Rice was a member of Eastern Star and White Shrine, both in Kansas City, Mo. She attended the Baptist church.

She married William T. Rice on Feb. 29, 1940. He died in 1976.

Survivors include three daughters, Mary Roy, Gladstone, Mo., Clara Chase, Darrouzett, Tex., and Billie Jo Schlink, Topeka; a son, Larry Rice, Olathe; nine grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials to American Cancer Society or to St. Labre Indian School, sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.rumsey-yost.com.