Barbara Jeanne Rice, long time Colfax resident, passed away Friday morning, March 24, 2017 at the Alderwood Manor in Spokane. She was 82. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 30th, at 1:00 p.m. at Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax with burial to follow in the Colfax Cemetery. Barbara was born December 1, 1934 in Wenatchee, Washington to Lincoln William and Geneva Florence (Hartley) Newell. When she was a little girl the family moved to Seattle and later to Pasco, Washington where Barbara graduated from high school. She attended Whitman College for a year and then transferred to Washington State University in Pullman where she completed her bachelor's degree in Home Economics and Interior Design. Barbara had met Harvey S. "Pete" Rice while they were in high school and even though he was away in the military for a time, they kept in touch. They married June 22, 1958 in Pasco. They lived in Montpelier, Oregon while Harvey went to school in Eugene. Barbara taught home economics and drama at the school there. They moved to Colfax, Washington in 1967. Barbara worked as a secretary at WSU and Harvey completed his master's degree there. Barbara also became busy as a mother when their two children, Kyla and Newel, came along in 1968 and 1969 respectively. She loved to help the Colfax High School with their annual play, she enthusiastically supported her kids in the swim team, they renovated and expanded their home overlooking Colfax, she was always an animal lover and she tended a beautiful garden. Somehow, Barbara also found time to go back to school and earned her bachelor's degree in fine arts. She was passionate about fiber artistry and especially basket making or "basketry". She ran a local art studio on Main Street in Colfax called "Pernickety" for several years which featured local artists. Barbara also did belly dancing in Colfax and Pullman. She and Pete also started National Heritage, an archaeological and historical services company which she helped run. When Pete started his photography studio in town, Barbara was right by his side to help him out. After nearly fifty years of marriage, Barbara's husband Pete passed away May 30, 2008. A short two years later, on May 27, 2010, she would also lose her daughter Kyla Jeanne Rice Hungerford unexpectedly. Barbara is survived by her son, Newel Rice of Edmonds, Washington and by her grandson Colton Ferriole Rice. Memorial gifts in her memory are suggested to the Whitman County Humane Society. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.