Melonie Erika Rice

Melonie Erika Rice of Fond du Lac, peacefully passed from this life to join our Lord and Savior, on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at St. Francis Home, where she resided for the past 17 months.Melonie was born on April 9, 1930, the third of five children, to Frederick and Margarita (Birkheim) Trott. She attended Lincoln School and Fond du Lac High School, graduating in 1948.On October 15, 1949, she married Daniel D. Rice, “the boy from next door” and the love of her life at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac. They celebrated 57 years of marriage before Dan’s passing in 2006.Melonie worked at Wiley Smith Clinic, Huber Brothers Drug Store & Stationary, and at Kiekhaefer/Brunswick/Mercury Marine for 24 years, before retiring in 1989.Melonie was a lifelong member of Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, where she and Dan taught Sunday school for many years. She served on the church board as treasurer, and was actively involved in church sewing, quilting, and knitting groups, Bible studies, Vacation Bible School, Ladies Aid, Altar Guild, and various committees. Melonie enjoyed golf and bowling and for several years was a league member in both. She was an avid reader and member of several area book clubs; she also loved scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, and travel, especially along the Mississippi River. A longtime member of Fond du Lac’s Master Gardeners, Melonie’s love of flowers was evidenced by her many club projects and in the beautiful flower beds at their home on Pearl Lane. Her grandchildren will especially remember the many Scrabble and card games played, baking and decorating cookies together, Mel’s fabulous pies, thoughtful gifts, and unending love and support.Melonie is survived by three children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren: daughter, Nancy Zahn of Fond du Lac, and Nancy’s sons: Jordan Zahn and Spencer Zahn; son, Guy Rice and his wife, Ludeen of Fond du Lac, and their children: Gavin Rice, Andrea (Dan) Dobogai, Collin (Samantha) Rice, and Aleisha Rice; son, Kurt Rice and his wife, Sher of Colgate, Wisconsin, and their children: Zachary (Tiffany) Rice, Meredith Rice, Harrison Rice, and Margo Rice. Melonie’s great-grandchildren are: Bennett and Brynlee Rice (children of Collin and Samantha) and Cooper Rice (son of Zachary and Tiffany). Melonie is also survived by two brothers: Kenneth (Shirley) Trott and Marc Trott; three sisters: Lorraine Jacobson, Mary Davis, and Janice Duket; very many nieces, nephews, extended family members and close friends.Melonie was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel, in 2006; her parents; her stepmother, Marie (Karst) Trott; two brothers-in-law: Oliver "Oz" Jacobson and David Duket; a sister-in-law, Nancy Trott; a stepsister, Emma Prasser; two stepbrothers: Fred and Jacob "Jake" Karst, and a son-in-law, Gerald “Gerry” Zahn.Services celebrating Melonie’s life will take place at the St. Francis Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, on Saturday, March 18, 2017, with a visitation from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Mary Schabel, close friend of the family, officiating. Cremation has taken place.In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated.Melonie’s family wishes to extend very special thanks to the wonderful staff of St. Francis Home, the Agnesian Hospice team, and to Dr. Jerry Evans and Dr. Thomas Fabricius of Agnesian HealthCare for their thoughtful and loving care of our mother and grandmother.

Melonie Erika Rice

April 9, 1930 - February 16, 2017