Obituary of Erma Esther Rice

Erma Esther Rice, age 98, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at Atrium Senior Living in Wisconsin Rapids.

A private family gathering will take place later per Erma’s request. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is assiting the family.

Erma was born on April 6, 1919, in the Town of Armenia in Juneau County to the late Charles and Laura (Knoll) Helke. She was a graduate of Alexander High School in Nekoosa. Her marriage to Clyde Rice took place on November 11, 1944. He passed away in August of 1985.

Erma enjoyed visiting with family and friends, playing cards, bingo, and the penny machines at the casino; she also enjoyed word searches, cross stitching, and reading the newspaper. She was also a long-time member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids.

Erma is survived by her three daughters: Pat Stensberg (Tom Babcock), Wisconsin Rapids, Judy (Dale) Hagen, Stevens Point, and Cindy (Jerry) Rabas, Milwaukee; five grandchildren: Shelly (Ron) Siems, Samantha Hagen, Lucas Hagen, Danielle Gardner, and Jessie Gardner; nine great-grandchildren; and brother: Norman Helke, Wisconsin Rapids. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Rice, parents, and nine siblings.

The family would like donations to be made in Erma’s name to the South Wood County Humane Society.
Family would like to thank her friends (especially Lana and Donna) at the Huntington Apartments where she lived for over 35 years, and to the therapy and nursing staff at the Atrium (Aspen unit) in Wisconsin Rapids.