Edna Rice

Edna Scheidecker Rice, 97, passed away at St. John's Lutheran Home on Feb. 23, 2006 in Billings.

Edna was born Dec. 6, 1908, in Bloomer, Wis., to Fred and Emma Jane Scheidecker. She was the fifth of nine children. At the age of 10, the family moved to Laurel. She graduated from Laurel High and then attended Eastern Montana Normal School for two years where she graduated with a teaching degree in 1929.

She taught music and second grade for two years in Dutton. It was there that she met her future husband, Don Rice. They were married in 1931. While living in Dutton, their two daughters, Barbara and Virginia, were born. In 1935, the family moved to Cut Bank where they lived for 10 years, before moving to Libby, where they purchased the Hotel Libby. Edna was an active participant in running the hotel for 21 years.

In 2000, she moved to Billings to be closer to her daughter Barbara. Shortly after arriving in Billings, she suffered a stroke which necessitated her need for assisted living. It was then that she moved into St. John's.

Edna was a giving person. She loved sharing flowers from her garden, picking raspberries to give away and she was well-known for her homemade doughnuts. She enjoyed doing things with her hands. She quilted, braided rugs and did many craft projects. She was a vocal soloist who sang for many weddings and funerals and also in church choirs.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, two sisters and four brothers.

She is survived by one brother, Don Scheidecker of Laurel; two daughters, Barbara Rice of Billings and Virginia Irvin of Half Moon Bay, Calif.; four grandchildren, Bob and Kathy Irvin of Manvel, Texas, Randy Irvin of Hurricane, Utah, Merilee and Bob Shaw of Half Moon Bay and Linda and Mitchell Miyake of Gresham, Ore.; three great-grandchildren, Michael Shaw, Maile and Leilani Miyake. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. One nephew, Jim Hollensteiner, who has been of special help to the family.

Services will be April 5, 2006 at 1 p.m. at the Nelson and Vial Funeral Home in Libby. Memorials may be made to Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, P.O. Box 80807, Billings, MT 59108-0807, First Presbyterian Church, 101 Mahoney Road, Libby, MT 59923 or St. John's Lutheran Home or charity of your choice.