Mary Kathleen Rice

Mary Kathleen Rice, 94, of Galesburg, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Battle Creek on October 18, 2024. She was born on April 5, 1930, and was adopted by Hugh and Kathleen Brodie.

Mary was a lover of horses from a young age and was gifted her first horse by her dad at 14. She was an avid member of the 4H club and enjoyed caring for all animals. Growing up, her father owned a car dealership where they had several exotic pets to draw in customers including an anteater, lion, and monkey.

She started college at Michigan State but transferred to Western Michigan University so she could be a Bronco. She earned a degree in teaching but decided her love was farming. She left teaching to become a full-time farmer alongside her husband; she always loved cows and found a special bond with all her farm animals.

Mary married Dale Rice on June 2, 1960, and they spent a wonderful 58 years together. Mary and Dale shared a lifelong passion for farming and horses and made several cross-country trips on agriculture tours. Riding down country roads with their golden retriever was a favorite pastime.

Mary adored her family and was fondly called Grandma by all who knew her in the farming community around her. She was blessed with a son, Thomas, and a loving daughter-in-law Lynette, who then blessed her with a grandson, Randy. If you saw Grandma anywhere, you would almost certainly find Randy or Lynette, or both together.

Mary was vibrant, very spunky, and full of life—she always had a great attitude and energy to enjoy every adventure life took her on. She was a lover of all music and enjoyed going to concerts with Randy. A favorite memory her family will always cherish was getting her on a horse at the age of 90.

Mary is survived by her daughter-in-law, Lynette and grandson, Randy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Kate; her husband, Dale; an infant son; son, Thomas; and many beloved horses and golden retrievers.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Galesburg United Methodist Church, 111 W Battle Creek St, Galesburg, MI 49053.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary's honor may be directed to the American Association of Kidney Patients, 14440 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33613 or online at aakp.org.

Please visit Mary's memorial webpage to share condolences and memories with her family at https://www.langelands.com