Margaret Rice

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Margaret Rice created a brilliant mosaic of memories that will remain a lasting treasure in the hearts and lives of her loved ones. She was a devoted mother to be sure as she loved every aspect of being a wife and mother and considered these roles to be both her highest calling and her greatest blessing. Life was not without times of trial for Margaret, but with her strong faith at the helm she faced every challenge that came her way with a graceful courage that is to be admired. Life will never be the same without Margaret here, but her timeless legacy will be carried on through those who follow her.

Life in America during the early part of the 20th century was drastically different from the life we know in America today. Henry Ford was on a mission to transform the manufacturing of automobiles, making them more affordable, while battles with monopolies, unsafe working conditions, and a lack of child labor laws were front and center in the day’s news. It was in 1915 that a young couple from Schoolcraft, Michigan, was delighted with the births of their twin baby girls on June 26th. Margaret Emily was one of five children born to her parents, Lee and Sarah (Strew) Aldrich, and she was raised in the family home alongside her older siblings, Willard and Clare, in addition to her twin sister, Marian and Neal. Her father worked for a local carpenter while her mother was a busy homemaker who cared for her family. At times Margaret’s family also did farm work for some local farmers, and Margaret liked to help her father whenever she could.

In many ways Margaret experienced a typical childhood that was reflective of the times. The decade of Roaring Twenties was mainly a prosperous one, yet that all came to a screeching halt with the crash of the stock market in October of 1929 that led our nation spiraling down into the perils of the Great Depression throughout the 1930s. Margaret was a student at Schoolcraft schools, eventually graduating from Schoolcraft High School in 1932. She continued her education from there, attending Western Normal College and receiving her teaching certificate. With her education behind her, Margaret accepted a teaching position in a one-room schoolhouse at Brown Jug and also at Pleasant Valley both in Prairie Ronde Township where she also did her own custodial work. For all her hard work she earned $35 a month. And later retired years later, after working in the office of the Superintendent of Schoolcraft Community Schools.

Life was forever changed for Margaret when she met the young man who would change the course of her life forever. He was a local from the same town named Harry Rice, and she always said that she married the best guy in town. Margaret and Harry exchanged their vows on June 1, 1935. Together they were blessed with three children: Roger, Betsy, and Harry J. “Butch.”

As a mother Margaret seemed to be a natural. She was strict when needed, yet she was also sweet, gracious, generous, and loving toward her children. Later in life Margaret was overjoyed to witness her family tree blossom to include eleven grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren. Her family always appreciated her superb cooking skills, and she has been called the Cherry Pie Queen.

In addition to caring for her family Margaret kept busy with other things as well. She was an excellent seamstress who made quilts for everyone, and she also had an extensive collection of thimbles and other small and delicate items. For numerous years Margaret was a member of the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church, and she was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Margaret was a championship shuffle boarder who also liked to burn up the dance floor when the opportunity arose, especially if her favorite music, big band music, was playing. She also, loved the Detroit Tigers and rarely missed a chance to watch them play. Margaret enjoyed a good card game, especially when she was on the winning team.

With her kind heart and generous spirit, there wasn’t anything that Margaret Rice wouldn’t do for those she loved. She was never concerned with building wealth or accumulating possessions, rather, Margaret set her sights on living her life to the fullest each day while sharing precious moments with her family. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Margaret E. Rice, of Schoolcraft, died on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Margaret’s family includes her children, Roger (Sandra) Rice, of Lawton; Betsy (Barry Allen) Rice, of Texas Twp; eleven grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; special longtime friend, William Mohr and numerous nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Harry Rice; son, Harry J. “Butch” Rice; and two brothers and two sisters. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 13th from 4-7 p.m, Life Story Funeral Home, 409 South Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). The funeral will be on Tuesday, May 14th at 11 a.m. at the same location. Burial Schoolcraft Cemetery. Please visit Margaret’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory and sign the guestbook. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan and/or the Friday Pack in Schoolcraft.