Gilbert E. Rice's Obituary
Gilbert Rice, age 65, of Centerville, Iowa died Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at Centerville Nursing and Rehab after fighting a courageous battle with a brain tumor. He was diagnosed in 2007 with cancer, he had surgery (July of 2007) and was told he had 6 months to live, but fought for several years. Gilbert was born March 22, 1945, the son of Rex and Iilona (Jacobs) Rice in Centerville, Iowa. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1963. Gilbert worked at Iowa Southern and Alliant Energy as a lineman for 35 years. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He loved to run around the farm and rode his bicycle around the farm with his grandchildren. Gilbert loved to attend auctions, fish and hunt for mushrooms, which he shared with his neighbors. He was a member of the West Christian Church and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He lived and farmed on ""Duck Pond Farm"" south of Centerville, in which he was the third generation family member to farm this land. Gilbert and Doreen were host parents for Machiek Izvicki, a foreign exchange student from Germany. Machiek came back a few years ago with three friends to visit and is now a physician. Gilbert had a personal relations ship with the Lord and every year brought vegetables and fresh milk to sell at First Christian Church's God Portions Sale. He raised many animals including cows, sheep, ducks and geese. He would bring goose eggs to the grade school in Cincinnati, IA so the children could watch them hatch. Gilbert and Doreen have raised two of their grandchildren Mikayla Elam and Hunter Tyler for the last 8 years. Gilbert is survived by his wife, Doreen Huffman of Centerville,Iowa; children, Rebecca (Steve) Brueseitz of Rockford, Illinois, Jolene (Joe) Gentzler of Des Moines, Iowa, Deena (Paul) Pata of Mt. Vernon, Iowa Deanna (Wallace) Manning of Albia,Deneen (Dusty) Carder of Centerville; twelve grandchildren; one great grandson; two sisters, Mary (Ron) Sales of Ottumwa, Iowa and Naomi (Bill) Ruff of Bonner Springs, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two children, Roger Rice and Patricia Robinson.
Funeral services will be held 10 AM, Saturday, November 27, 2010 at the Lange Funeral Home with Pastor Kay Singley officiating. Burial will follow at the Porter Cemetery. A visitation will be held Friday at the funeral home with family present from 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Christian Church or the Education Fund for grand children Mikayla Elam and Hunter Tyler and may be left at or mailed to the Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be left online at www.langefh.com. Lange Funeral Home is caring for the family of Gilbert Rice.
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