Norris Monroe Rice

Norris Monroe Rice, 93, passed away Thursday morning, July 8, 2010, at a Rehab Center in Topeka, Kansas. He was born November 2, 1916 south of Meriden, Kansas. Norris was the son of George & Ella Rice. He graduated from Meriden High School. Norris married Grace Mae Stewart Rice, on May 23, 1947 in Lawrence, KS and they celebrated 62 years of marriage. Grace passed away January 4, 2010. Norris was preceded in death by his: wife, parents, two brothers Shirley & Clarence Rice and an infant granddaughter, Rachel Mae Wilson. Norris & Grace made their home south of Meriden on a farm. In his early years, he worked at Dekalb Seed Company & Goodyear Plant both in Topeka. He played baseball when he was young and spent his adult life farming & raising cattle south of Meriden. Most days from dusk to dawn Norris could be seen wearing a straw hat & riding his John Deere tractor. He enjoyed playing cards & checkers. His favorite card game was pitch. Norris loved to dance with his sweetheart Grace. Survivors include: son, Earl Rice & wife Marla of Meriden; daughter, Judy Wilson & husband Steve of Meriden; seven grandchildren, Rebecca McBurney of Lees Summit, MO; Andy Wilson & wife Lindsay of Wichita; Matthew Rice & wife Kristina of Wetmore, KS; Jay Dee Rice, Steven Rice, Sierra Rice, & DAndre Rice of Meriden; three great-granddaughters, Ryleigh & Jadyn McBurney; Gracie Rice; two sisters, Edna Fanning of Meriden; Grace Parks of Florida; and sister-in-law, Betty Jean Whiteman of Meriden. He will lie in state Sunday, July 11, from 1-9 p.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home in Topeka with visitation from 2-4 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, July 12 at Jefferson Assembly of God Church north of Meriden. Burial will be at Grantville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Hospice of Jefferson County, 1212 Walnut St, Oskaloosa, KS 66066. Online condolences may be made at davidsonfuneral.com. Norris Monroe Rice