Jane Marie Rice, age 93, passed peacefully on November 17th at her daughter Maribeth Lakin’s home in Lufkin, Texas. Born September 6, 1931 on the family farm in Frazee, Minnesota, Jane was the third child of John and Marie (Holzel) Ulschmid, among eight siblings. She was a graduate of Frazee High School and the College of St. Catherine school of nursing in St. Paul.

September 1, 1956, Jane married Louis (Lou) Conway Rice in Frazee, Minnesota. They welcomed four children in Wausau, Wisconsin and their fifth in Cinnaminson, New Jersey while Lou was employed by General Motors. The family moved several times before settling in Connecticut where they built their life and community. 

Jane dedicated much of her early married life to raising five children, often managing the logistics of family life with remarkable grace. She was known for her ability to handle the challenges of shopping, going to the pool on a hot summer day, and other outings with five young children in tow. 

As her children grew, Jane found time for personal interests. She was an avid bowler, participating in leagues at Valley Bowl in Derby for many years. She and Lou were long-time members of Bronson Country Club, where she took up golf and enjoyed the many friends they met there. 

Jane returned to her nursing career later in life, working at Griffin Hospital and subsequently at a doctor’s office in Huntington, Connecticut. 

Jane and Lou moved to Ponte Vedra, Florida after Lou retired. Lou passed in 1991 after-which, Jane moved to Trumbull to live with her son Conway and finally to Lufkin, TX to be with her daughter Maribeth. 

She was actively involved in her faith, being a member of St. Lawrence church in Huntington, Lady Star of the Sea church in Florida and later St. Teresa’s in Trumbull. 

It’s a family consensus that Jane never took a bad photograph; any less than perfect picture remains elusive. 

Jane is survived by her brother, Mark, and sisters, Margaret and Mary. Her legacy continues through her five children: David (wife Kathy) and daughter Kate; Brian (wife Amy) with children Christine and Mark; Anne Marie Masters (husband Adrian) with sons Mark and Ian; Maribeth Lakin (husband Keith) and daughter Emma; and Louis Conway (wife Mary Beth) with daughters Jillian, Danielle and Avery; along with many great grand-children. 

Jane’s ashes have been reunited with Lou’s in Lufkin, with plans to bring them back to Connecticut in the spring of 2025 for a family interment ceremony.