Margaret Irene Rice, 82, passed away peacefully on Oct. 26 at the Greene County Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at a later date.
Margaret Irene Bennett was born Jan. 14, 1938, the daughter of John and Edna Bennett, in Chillicothe, Mo. She was joined at home later by her sister, Elaine. At the age of 4, the family moved to Jefferson.
Irene attended Jefferson Schools her entire life. Irene married Joe Busch. To this union three children were born: Steven, Gary and Susan. The couple later divorced.
Irene married Charles Rice on June 7, 1963, in Jackson, Minn. To this union they welcomed two more children, John and Anita. They made their home in Jefferson.
Irene wore many hats through her life in her various jobs at Chicago Rivet Factory, Truck Haven Cafe, The Klassi Klub and the bean fields. Oh the memories we have of those days in the bean field.
Mom loved bowling, fishing, playing cards with friends and family. She was active in the local Raccoon River Valley Muzzleloader Club as the club secretary.
To many she was simply “Queenie.” In 1994, Irene and her mom were the first-ever mother and daughter duo to be inducted into the Iowa Bowling Hall of Fame.
Irene is preceded in death by her parents and her son, John Alan Rice.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 57 years, Charles Rice; her children, Steven (Lisa) Busch, of Fort Dodge; Gary (Candy Hoyle) Busch, of Rippey; Susan (Duane) Forkner, of Jefferson; and Anita (Barry) Gribble, of Manson; grandchildren, Travis (Samantha) Busch, Elisha Kennedy, Anthony Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Heather (Tony) Geerdes, Jacob Rice, Cherie (Robert) Peck and Chris Mack; 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters; her sister, Elaine (Duane) Marsh; and many nieces and nephews.
Cards may be sent to: Charles Rice, 406 W. Adams St., Jefferson, IA 50129.