Oral May Rice
April 19, 1925 - May 17, 2014
Obituary
Oral May Rice passed away peacefully on May 17, 2014 in Woodinville Washington. She was born to Louis and Vergie (Barnard) Woltmann in Nokomis Illinois on April 19, 1925. She graduated from Nokomis Township High School with honors and entered Millikin University at Decatur as a Freshman, and pledged the Delta Delta Delta sorority. The following year she was offered a position as a Curtiss-Wright Engineering Cadet at Purdue University, where she completed her Bachelors of Science Degree. She taught mathematics and English in Jeffersonville IL, while Ken, her future husband, completed his Master’s Degree in Engineering at Purdue. They married in June 1949 and moved to Seattle where both went to work at the Boeing Company. She left Boeing in 1952 and dedicated her life to raising three children; Ron, Gary and Karen. Ken’s job took the family from Seattle to Brigham City, Utah and back to Bellevue, WA and then to Normandy Park, WA in 1961. During the Vietnam war, she volunteered at the USO NW Center Military Lounge at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. She and Ken enjoyed cruising the waters of Puget Sound in their boats; their favorite being the 30 ft. Trojan “JoJoBa”. When Ken retired from Boeing, they left Normandy Park for the slower life in Usk, WA. Their little slice of heaven on the Pend Oreille River was peaceful. By this time, they also had six grandchildren to occupy their time. After Ken died in 1986, Oral May returned to western Washington to be closer to family and moved to Providence Point in Issaquah. She saw her grand children turn into adults, graduate from college, become successful in their chosen professions and bless her with 2 great grandchildren.
Oral May is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Ron and Jodi Rice of Spokane, Gary and Jane Rice of Woodinville, and her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Brian Sproates of El Dorado Hills, CA. She loved her six grandchildren, Jaime of Phoenix, Mark of Burien, Sean and fiancé, JoLee of Maple Valley, Jason and Sarah Rice of Chicago, Jaclyn and Tyler Sorensen of Woodinville, Cory and Allison Rice of Seattle. She was amazed by her great grandchildren Emma and Caleb. For Oral, it was all about family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ken and her brother Barney.
The family would like to thank the assisted living experts at Above Woodinville Adult Family Home for years of incredible care. A private family “Celebration of Life” will be held with inurnment at Washington Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Oral May’s name to:
USONW SeaTac International Airport Center,
17801 International Blvd, PMB #313,
Seattle, WA 98158
https://secure3108.hostgator.com/~usopsa/secure/index.php
Mama’s are very special and yours had to have been the best, which can be attested by extension by you, Ron, a man of character, integrity, and thoughtfulness, a good friend and savvy business man. What a joy and blessing to have such a mama as you had! What a joy and blessing the memories of such a life. May the Lord continue to bless your family as His blessings extend to a thousand generations of those who love Him.
You were all so lucky to have her with you for so many years and to be raised by such a loving and devoted mother. She Will be missed.
What a lovely tribute to Oral’s life. Her family remain a testimony to her gifts as a mother and grandmother. Be blessed in know that she finished well and is in the loving Arms of Jesus!
So sorry for your loss. Mom’s hold a very special place in our hearts. Praying peace and comfort as you transition into this new season of life and learn a new normal. Hugs
Prayers for all of the family at Oral’s passing. The list of memories I have of your family is long and filled with wonderful thoughts of growing knowing all of you.
Oral has a legacy of love.
Oral is free of pain now, rejoicing with the angels before the throne of God. She was a wonderful lady and an inspiration to all of us.
I will always remember Oral’s sweet voice and warm personality. She will be missed but always remembered and cherished when her family gets together.
We will keep you in our prayers. May Oral be comfortable and rest in peace.