Marguerite J. Rice

Independent by nature, Marguerite Rice was a determined and motivated woman whose strong will rarely let anything get the best of her. With ways all her own, she had the ability to balance these traits with an ever present, loving and caring demeanor. She loved her family deeply, and in them she found her greatest joy. Lovingly remembered, the heart of Marguerite will remain close to all who knew and loved her. The decade of the 1920s was a time of change the world over. With tremendous growth and technological advances, many were hopeful, and found much to be thankful for. This was especially true for Joseph H. and Edna I. (Salchert) McDonald of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan when on April 16, 1926 they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Marguerite into their hearts. The oldest of four, Marguerite was raised in Mt. Pleasant and went on to become a longtime resident of the area. In time she welcomed three younger siblings, Eileen, Barbara Jean, and Edward. Her father worked as a farmer and also worked for the State Home while her mother remained at home as a homemaker. During her youth, times were quite difficult as the onset of the Great Depression cast a cloud of hardship for all. As the eldest child, Marguerite either helped her father with the farm, or her mother with household chores. In fact, their home didn't even have electricity until she was ten years old. It was considered quite a treat each week when Marguerite and her siblings ventured to Main Street in Mt. Pleasant. There they bought their five cent ice cream cones and enjoyed sitting in the car watching the people in town. Marguerite and her family were devoted to their Catholic faith. She attended Sacred Heart Academy and babysat for family, friends and neighbors. Her first job was working at the D&C Dime Store all while continuing to help her father as well as neighbors with their farms. After graduating in 1944, Marguerite began receiving a regular paycheck when she took a steady job at Ferro Manufacturing. Shortly after graduating, Marguerite married Roderick Rice, the young man who stole her heart at a local dance in Beal City. They shared wedding vows in the priest's rectory in December of 1944, and soon began a family of their own. Blessed with six children, David, Teresa, Gary, Mark, Nicholas, and Carol added much to Marguerite's life. She made a good home for her family, and enjoyed canning and cooking. Always full of energy, Marguerite raised her children with a firm yet loving hand. She took a keen interest in her children's schooling, sports and many other activities. Along with raising her family, Marguerite was a hard worker outside the home, as well. Although it proved to be a struggle when her husband sadly passed away in 1967, Marguerite's assertive and outgoing nature found her doing what needed to be done. She had been working at the State Home, and following the death of her husband she worked for the A&P Grocery Store for seven years. For a few years she was a water meter reader, and then for four years owned and operated Rices Party Store on Coldwater and M-20. Before long she began renovating an old school house (just west of the party story) which became the Barn Door Bar. After three years, she sold the store and bar. Selling the store and bar gave way to Marguerite's desire for care giving. She always had a heart for others and her thoughtful ways found her opening Rices Adult Foster Care (a.k.a. Menopause Manor). For five years, Marguerite selflessly gave of her time and talents in caring for others. She went on to work for another five years in Midland as a caregiver with Community Mental Health. When she returned to Mt. Pleasant, she began working and caring for Mrs. Wickert when her husband died. Marguerite had also cared for him for a time, too. As if her work schedule wasn't enough, Marguerite loved serving as a volunteer with the Commission on Aging and also volunteered her time at Mid Michigan Industries shredding papers. Through the course of her life, Marguerite held 22 different jobs, but she always seemed to gravitate back to caring for others which is what she loved most. Marguerite wasn't a woman who needed much. She found simple pleasures in the form of garage sales, auctions and flea markets. A kind woman at heart, Marguerite wasn't bashful when it came to her words. So much so, a couple of her favorite sayings were, If it was up your ass youd know where it was or "I gotta piss so bad my back teeth are floating". For these things and more, Marguerite endeared herself in the hearts of all who came within her reach. Over the years, Marguerite enjoyed numerous trips to California, Arizona and Florida. She usually spent the holidays with her son Mark and his family. Relentlessly on the go, Marguerite was always up for a good adventure and her strong will and tenacity seemed to boost her energy level. She was assertive when she needed to be, yet her kind and caring ways were welcomed by those who needed it most. Marguerite continued to enjoy canning even into her later years. In fact, the day before she went into the hospital she was enjoying a beer while at her daughter's home, canning apples. Hard working and selfless, Marguerite will be most remembered for her love of family, caring nature and strong will. Independent as well as intelligent, Marguerite Rice lived well, loved abundantly and mentored all with her generous ways. Marguerite Rice, 87, of Mt. Pleasant passed away Friday, December 6, 2013, at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roderick in 1967; sons, Gary in 1976 and Nicholas in 1990; and by her daughter, Teresa Hansen in 2008. She is survived by her children, David (Pat) Rice and Mark (Marcia) Rice, both of Mt. Pleasant, and Carol Shaw of Elwell; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Eileen Rau of Mt. Pleasant and Barbara (Earl) Oplinger of Weidman; her brother, Edward (Kay) McDonald of Beal City; numerous nieces and nephews; extended sons, Keith Brooks of Midland, whom Marguerite has been caring for since 1959, and Mike Soriano of San Diego; and her faithful granddog, Chief. A Funeral Mass for Marguerite will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Thomas Held presiding. Cremation will follow and her ashes will be interred in Calvary Cemetery. Her family will receive friends at Lux Family Life Story Funeral Home on Monday from 4-8 p.m. with a Vigil service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Tuesday one hour prior to the Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Woodland Hospice or Sacred Heart Academy Foundation. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. To learn more about Marguerites life or to sign her online guest book, please visit www.LuxFamilyFuneralHome.com.