Lois Marshall Rice

     Age is simply the number of years friends and family were able to enjoy this amazing woman. Lois Marshall Rice was born on June 3, 1918 to Vera and Ray Marshall in Whitewater, WI and died at the age of 105 on May 26, 2024, at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Center Skilled Nursing Facility in Sturgeon Bay, WI.

     She was proceeded in death by her four siblings, Jack, Sibyl, Beulah and David; as well as her husband, John; and her son, Jeffrey Rice.

     On July 28, 1940, she married John Rice and they resided in Milwaukee, WI for 65 years before moving to Door County in 1998. After John died in 1999, Lois continued to reside at the Meadows Independent Apartments of Scandia Village. Due to deteriorating health, on November 21, 2022, she moved to the Horton Center in Sturgeon Bay.

     She enjoyed a long professional career, beginning in public relations/sales development, for a rapidly growing media corporation during the earliest days of television. A transitional period in broadcast media……open to innovation. Years later, opting to work in a non-commercial field, she was appointed Public Relations/Fund Development Director for the Milwaukee Art Museum.

     A final appointment was as Development Director/Assistant to the President of Alverno College. Lois expressed particular pride in that 12-year association and appreciation for all that she learned from the brilliant new President, Joel Read and the dedicated faculty who, together, had developed an internationally recognized method of teaching Liberal Arts. She served on a wide variety of boards of public and private organizations. She strongly believed in the value of volunteering throughout her life and encouraged others to do the same. She was a member of the Sister Bay Moravian Church and was very grateful for their prayers and concern.

     She was a very active resident at Scandia Village Retirement Community for over 20 years. She enjoyed volunteering, serving on committees and writing the early SCAND Newsletter. During this time, she made many friends and enjoyed her interactions with staff and community members. Her love of books was obvious as was her love of good writing. If you were a recipient of one of her letters or notes, you were blessed. She was well-spoken on many subjects and could engage in spirited conversation, especially politics. She was a life-long learner and enjoyed classes into her 100’s. She enjoyed the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzles and could complete them with ease. Her natural beauty combined with her attention to art, style and appearance earned her frequent compliments.

     She is survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren, of whom she was very proud, Morgan (Kristi) Rice and Lauren (Justin) Daoust [and their children Allison and Andrew Daoust]. Also, Morgan and Lauren’s mother, Bev Knutson and her husband, Rick Bochek. Lois wanted it to be noted that Bev had been her “daughter” for over 50 years and that she was very thankful for all the things that Rick fixed in her apartment. She is further survived by nieces and nephews.

     The family would like to express gratitude for all her caregivers at Scandia Village, the Horton Center and Unity Hospice over the years. In addition, thanks to her faithful friends for their frequent visits, flowers and cards. Lois was very appreciative of being remembered.

     At Lois’s request, there will be no public services. She will be interred next to her husband at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Milwaukee.

     Donations in Lois’s memory would be appreciated to Sister Bay Moravian Church (10924 Old Stage Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234) or Unity Hospice (2366 Oak Ridge Circle, De Pere, WI 54115).

     Her life was a true blessing to all who knew and loved her.

     Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay is assisting the Rice family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Lois may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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