Ruth Olga Rice

March 9, 1920 - August 27, 2020

Ruth Olga Rice, 100, of Evansville, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2020 at the Pine Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center. Ruth was born at home in Evansville to the late Walter V. and Amelia (Vogel) Stippler on March 9, 1920. Ruth’s love of family was always number one on her list. She retired from teaching to take care of her children; help coach her sons’ sports and be their Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. Ruth also volunteered as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for her daughters. She and her late husband, C. Thomas Rice, traveled and camped in all of the 48 contiguous states. Later they traveled to see their grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, graduations, wedding and religious milestones. Ruth was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vanderburgh County. Ruth attended Memorial High School and was a graduate of the Ferdinand Academy. She graduated in 1942 with a degree in elementary education from Evansville College while serving as president of the Phi Mu Sorority. While in college, Ruth learned how to pilot an airplane. Surviving Ruth are her brother, Art Stippler; sisters, Lil MacGregor, Bertha Jilian, Margaret Ballard; sons, Tom (Kathy) Rice, Tony (Jayne) Rice, MD, PhD; two daughters, Ruth Ann (Earl) Scott and Diann (Sandy) Herrera; eleven grandchildren, Chris (Rachel) Rice, Dr. Bradley (Lindsay) Rice, Shane Rice, Sophia Rice, Kellie (Brendan McGuigan) Scott, Earl (Lindsay) Scott, II, Kourtney (Nick) Lannert, Michelle (Chris) Bennett, Brittney (Jason) Holliman, Danny (Stephanie) Herrera, Christy (Ryan) Miller; twenty great grandchildren, Tyler, Ella and Sam Rice, Kathryn, John and Mara McGuigan, Jakob, Avery and Penelope Scott, Sydney and Noah Lannert, Tate, Alaina, Graham Bennett, Ashton, Everett and Natalie Holliman, Jackson Herrera, Ethan and Ava Miller. In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years C. Thomas Rice in 2004 and by her brother, Brother Hugo Stippler, O.H. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vanderburgh County, Rev. Eugene Schroeder officiating. Entombment will follow in Oak Hill Mausoleum. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 7:00 PM on Wednesday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 9:30 AM until service time on Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 6202 W. St. Joseph Road, Evansville, IN 47720. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pine Haven Nursing Home, where Ruth was known as a spirited and spunky lady; to Heritage Hospice for their kind and compassionate care and to Fr. Gene Schroeder for visiting with Ruth, especially during football season when they would watch games together and for attending family gatherings with Ruth and her siblings. The family would also like to thank Libby Broerman for her years of friendship, kindness and helping take care of their mother. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vanderburgh County, 6202 W. St. Joseph Road, Evansville, IN 47720. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.