Cecelia E. Rice

ELMWOOD TOWNSHIP — Cecelia Elizabeth Rice, 88, of Elmwood Township, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Cecelia was born June 5, 1920, in Hannah, the daughter of Matthew Bembeneck and Mary Brogger. On Aug. 22, 1938, at St. Mary's of Hannah she married Felix Michael Rice Sr., who preceded her in death in Cedar on Sept. 25, 1961.

Mom enjoyed baking, which she learned from her pure Polish mother-in-law. Mom's dinner rolls were the best ever; she loved fixing meals for her family and friends who came to visit. Her loved ones remember her cream puffs, cheese cakes and a Polish specialty, paczkis.

Mom would be insulted if she couldn't bake for the weddings and special occasions of her loved ones. Just a month ago she was cooking for a granddaughter's graduation party!

She loved quilting and giving them as gifts to her children, grandchildren and extended family. Her children can count over 162 quilts made by Mom's skilled hands. She loved her family very much.

Cecelia is survived by her children, Jim (Mona) Rice of Lake Leelanau, Millie (Ronald) Evens of Three Oaks, Harold Rice of Cedar, Felix (Diana) Rice of Maple City, Alfred, Leo (Marilyn) and Mark (Linda) Rice all of Traverse City, Rebecca Houser of Splendora, TX; brothers, Arthur Bembeneck of Highland Park, Edward (Josephine) Bembeneck of Saginaw; sister-in-law, Joanne Bembeneck of Traverse City; 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; a son, Thomas; siblings, Joseph, Raymond, Richard, Irene McClain, Bernadette Johnson; granddaughters, Kelly Hooper and Kristina Houser.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Munson Hospice and Nell Jacobson for their compassion and wonderful care of our mother.

Visitation will be held today, Aug. 29, from 4 to 8 p.m., with the rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. The Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. at the Holy Rosary Parish in Isadore. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Schools, PO Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI, 49653.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.