Fern C. Rice, 98, of Del Norte, ended her earthly journey on Monday, November 7, 2016, at Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte, Colorado. She was the first of five children. Fern was born August 5, 1918, in Trinidad, Colorado, to Horace and Cammie (Waggoner) Copp. In 1935 the family moved to Del Norte where her father was in the retail grocery business. Fern completed her schooling as a senior in Del Norte graduating in 1936. In April of 1938, she and Earl E. Rice were married in Las Vegas, New Mexico. They raised three children on their farm east of Del Norte where, at the time of her death, she had lived for 76 years. Fern was not only the bookkeeper for her husband's business but also over the years she was bookkeeper for J.C. Penney; Del Norte Potato Growers; Rio Grande Federal Savings & Loan; and Evans Insurance. She was an active member of the Pioneer United Church and Presbyterian Women's Group. She was a member of Del Norte Social Hour Club, a Supreme Representative of Pythian Sisters, a member of the Del Norte Chapter of P.E.O., and a member of Colorado Territorial Daughters. She served many years as a volunteer at the St Joseph's Nursing Home.

Preceding her in death were her parents Horace and Cammie Copp; her husband Earl Rice; her brother Robert Copp; sisters, Leola O'Hara and Nina Jean Ritz; son-in-law Larry Reed and great grandson Samuel Reed Fine. Survivors include her brother Hedrick (Betty) Copp of Santa Cruz, California; her son, Ronald of the family home; her daughter Lee Reed of Hamilton, Georgia; and daughter Catherine (Robert) Gallegos of Thornton, Colorado; grandchildren include Suzanne (Joel) Fine of Columbus, Georgia; Teresa (Randy) Draves of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Cammie Newmyer of Monte Vista, Colorado; Robert (Shannon) Reed of Orlando, Florida; Daniel (Kate) Newmyer of Houston, Texas; and Crista (Sam) Olsen of Mosca, Colorado; 18 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2016, at the Pioneer United Church in Del Norte. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer United Church.
Rogers Family Mortuary in Monte Vista is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes and remarks, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com

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