passed away peacefully in the company of her son on Wednesday, February 13th after a sudden heart problem.
She was born February 10, 1928 to Rev. and Mrs. Charles J. Christianson in the parsonage of the First Congregational Church of Sabetha, Kansas. She lived in Sabetha, Hiawatha, Lawrence, and Kansas City while growing up, later attending K.U. In 1948 she married the love of her life, Harry D. Rice and they had 53 wonderful years together, raising two sons, Harry Nick Rice and Christopher D. Rice. Nick passed away suddenly in 1970 and Harry in 2004. Following her husband's death she was cared for by her son and her faithful houseman Charles Wright. She moved to the Forum Retirement Center in 2015.
Chris was a lifelong patron of the arts. She worked with Children’s Theatre for 17 years and was a member of their Trouping Unit while also serving on their Board. She became an architectural designer and worked with different firms until establishing her own. A particular interest was the preservation and restoration of French structures for which she traveled extensively. She was a member of the Lyric Opera League, Circle, and Guild; Young Matrons, the Art Institute, Palateers, Sketch Box, the Ballet Board, the Friends of the Symphony, the Renaissance Festival Committee, Kemper Museum, Nelson Gallery, Friends of Art, and the Society of Fellows. Recently she was historian for many clubs and enjoyed her association with the Leawood Welcomers, MOCSA, Women’s Foundation, New Theatre, Alexander Majors’ home, and the International Wine and Food Society. After spending four years studying, teaching, and counseling at Unity, she helped form K.C. Holistics. She is survived by her son, Christopher D. Rice (Jan) and their sons, Collin C. Rice (Laura Shultz) and Kevin C. Rice.
