Ruth Rice

Ruth Marie Rice, 69, of Kearney, MO went to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday, July 13th, 2019. Ruth was born December 26, 1949 in Kansas City, KS where her father was attending seminary. She was the daughter of Rev. Harold Thomas Evans and Eva Marie Evans. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, John.

Ruth grew up in Blue Springs, MO where her father pastored during most of her school years. She graduated from Ruskin High School and went on to attend Southwest Baptist College before marrying Richard Rice on September 3, 1971. They began married life in Marshall, MO where Richard taught school and Ruth worked in the office at the Butterfield Boy Home. She quickly became involved at First Baptist Church serving as the pianist for six years. During that time, their daughters Renee (Brett Fuehring) and Rebecca (Josh Pleuger) were born. She became a stay-at-home mother while supporting Richard in many school activities.

The family moved to Kansas City North in 1977 and became active at Gashland Baptist Church where she served as the pianist for eight years. Once again, she became Richard’s dependable helpmate with his school activities, and with the girls and their projects, always putting them ahead of her own needs.  Ruth continued a life of strong Christian service when the family became members of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in 1989.   As the girls became older, she worked for American Family Life Insurance until her retirement in 2015.

When Richard retired from public school and became an administrator at Northland Christian School, Ruth once again helped Richard any way he needed, meanwhile being the beloved grandmother and playmate to Grace, Noah, and Jonah Fuehring and Conner Pleuger. The family is deeply saddened that her fight for life took her before she had a chance to meet and love on Conner’s greatly anticipated baby brother or sister.

Throughout her life she has modeled Christ by exhibiting kindness, sweet humility, a gentle spirit, and a servant’s heart. She fought this last battle with firm resolve and provided those who observed it with a strong example of faith, knowing no matter the ending, her home with Jesus waited for her. Heaven has opened its arms to her and said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21.

Survivors include husband, Richard Rice of Kearney, MO, daughter, Renee Fuehring (Brett) of Kansas City, MO, daughter, Rebecca Plueger (Josh) of Rock Rapids, IA, grandchildren, Grace, Noah, Jonah (Fuehring) and Conner (Plueger), brother, Jim Evans (Diane) of Blue Springs, MO; sister, Janice Patterson (Chris), Harrisonville, MO; sisters-in-law, Yvonne Evans Woods (Tom), Blue Springs, MO, Debbie Theiss (Larry), Lee’s Summit, MO, Barbara Giunta(Tony), Gilmer, TX, and a host of nieces and nephews.

A service celebrating her life will held on Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, MO.  Visitation will be from 9:30am-11:00am with a service immediately following.  The family requests that donations be made to Northland Christian Schools in lieu of flowers.