Lena Nash Rice

Lena Nash Rice, age 99, went to her heavenly home on January 31, 2017, in Boise, Idaho. Lena was born on May 15, 1917, in Zena, Oregon, to Ray and Grace Nash.

She was 14 when her family moved to Hill City, Idaho, after purchasing the grocery and dry goods store. It was there that she met and later married the love of her life, Gwinn Rice. Hill City was always their home where they farmed, raised their three children, and were active church and community members.

Lena’s kitchen was the hub of life on the farm. She was known for her hospitality, her wonderful meals, and especially for her homemade bread and delicious cinnamon rolls! There was always room for one more around her kitchen table, which was also the gathering place for playing the many games she loved.

In 1968, Lena was selected as the Idaho Mother of the Year. In 1990 she was chosen as Senior Mother of the Year for Idaho’s Centennial Celebration. During this time, she co-authored The Lasting Legacy, a history of Camas Prairie. She treasured this time spent with her neighbors and friends listening to and recording their stories.

Lena looked for and found the good in every person and every situation, and her smiles and kindness brightened the lives of everyone around her. She was an example of true Christian love, and a wonderful mentor to countless family members, young people, and friends whom she prayed for daily.

At 93, she retired from her work at the Hill City Farm and moved to Boise where she lived at Morning Star Independent & Assisted Living making many new friends and sharing her joy for life. We thank them all for their amazing love and care.

Lena was preceded in death by her husband, Gwinn. She is survived by her sister Pearl Ruby of Mountain Home, Idaho; her brother Ray Nash of Springfield, Oregon; daughter Joy (Tom) Gill of Mountain Home, Idaho; daughter Norma (John) Odiaga of Jerome, Idaho; son Jim (Tina) Rice of Hill City and Meridian, Idaho; 7 grandchildren--Kim (Curt) Phillips, Todd (Darci) Gill, James (Shelly) Rice, Joe (Stacie) Rice, Amaya Odiaga (Hans-Peter Marshall), Jordan (Karen) Rice, Annie (Jamon) Frostenson; 16 great-grandchildren; and a multitude of friends and relatives.
A funeral service will take place on Friday, March 3, 2017, at 1:00 pm at Cloverdale Funeral Home in Boise. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lena’s name to the Fairfield Community Church, Fairfield, Idaho 83327, or to the Boise Rescue Mission, 308 S. 24th St., Boise, Idaho 83702.