Fern Troyer Rice

Fern Troyer Rice, 93, Watseka, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Iroquois Memorial Residence Home. She was born, the second youngest of ten children, on March 23, 1931, in Bloomington, Illinois, to Oliver and Kate (Unzicker) Troyer. She married Thomas M. Rice on September 17, 1950. They shared a life on the farm before his passing in 2005. September 17, 2024 would have been their 74th anniversary.


Fern and Tom met through Rural Youth at a square dance and enjoyed many dances together. After marriage they raised dairy, hogs, chickens and four boys on the farm in rural Sheldon Illinois. She was a member and served in the women's group of the First United Methodist Church, Watseka, IL. She was a member and officer of the Home Bureau & Extension and also a past 4H leader. Fern started her "Kountry Kitchen", a home based food business serving food at area auctions. She also provided home cooked meals to the Sheldon Fire Department members at the fire station, during their meeting nights for many years.


Fern loved cooking and caring for her family. She loved teaching her grandchildren her Pfeffernusse cookie recipe that was passed down from her family. The favorite way to eat them is when they are hard as a rock. A Sunday night family tradition is popcorn and ice cream that will carry on in her family. Faith and family were her two most cherished blessings.


4-H has been a prominent activity in the family through four generations and counting. In her youth the Troyer family earned the McLean County 4-H Family award. In 2005 Thomas & Fern Troyer Rice family were awarded the Illinois 4-H Family Spirit award in recognition, support and years of participation in the 4-H program.


Fern had a sweet and kind personality, and was always ready to lend a helping hand, and loved to sing the song, "A Bushel and a Peck" to her grandchildren.


She is survived by her three sons and one daughter in law, Tammy (Michael deceased) Rice, Sheldon, IL, Robert (Holly) Rice, Sheldon, IL, Paul (Denise) Rice, New Berlin, IL, John (Robin) Rice, Lafayette, IN. Also surviving is one sister, Ruth Schapmire, Normal, IL. Fern has 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.


Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, seven brothers, and her son Michael.


Visitation will be from 9:30–11:00 a.m. with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka, IL. Pastor Darla Holden will officiate. Entombment will follow at the Sheldon Cemetery.


Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church of Watseka and Iroquois County 4H.


Please share a memory of Fern at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.