Mabel Rice

Mabel M. Rice, 97, died Feb. 14 at Fort Collins Health Center. She was born in Mars Hill, N.C., on Dec. 9, 1910. After her marriage to Ben Rice, the couple moved to Wellington, where they farmed for many years. She was a homemaker and a cook for 16 years for the Poudre School District. She is survived by her children, Eloise West of Burson, Calif., and Wanda Havens Bob of Cheyenne, Wyo.; daughter-in-law, Sharon Rice of Fort Collins; brother, Lloyd Buckner of Weaverville, N.C.; sister, Ruth Johnson of Inman, S.C.; nine grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, Theo and Dessie Buckner; her husband, Ben Rice; sons, J.D., J.B. and Harold Rice; her brothers, Alburn Buckner and Woodrow Buckner; a sister, Iva Banks; and one grandson. A service will be held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Those who desire may view Mrs. Rice from noon to 4 p.m. Monday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Larimer County in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .