Funeral services for Barbara R. Rice, age 54, of Albert Lea, will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2005, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Austin. President Roger Wangsness will officiate. Interment will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Taopi, Minn. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Barbara died Monday, Oct. 24, 2005, at St. John’s Lutheran Home, after a long battle with cancer.

Barbara Rose Rice was born in Storm Lake, Iowa, on Oct. 23, 1951, to Eugene and Mary (Adams) Garrett. She graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1969, where she had been involved in the concert band, playing the flute. In July of 1969 Barbara was introduced to Glen E. &8220;Sonny&8221; Rice Jr. by a friend. They were married on April 19th, the following spring, at the Church of Christ in Storm Lake. The couple purchased their first home and then moved to Taopi, Minn. It was here that Barbara and Sonny began their family. Together they raised five children. In 1982, Sonny decided to venture out on his own, starting Rice Plumbing and Heating with Barbara at his side. Barbara’s hobbies included spending time with her kids, photography, and painting. Some of her photos have been featured on KIMT. Barbara was diagnosed with MS in 1985. After losing her husband in a tragic accident in December of 1990, Barbara, with the help of friends and family, continued to raise her children in Taopi. Barbara moved to Albert Lea in 2002.

Barbara is survived by her children: Dan and wife Lynette Rice of Pleasantville, Iowa, Crystal and husband Justin Trawny and their son, Zachary, of Kansas City, Mo., Nick and wife, Rachelle Rice and their daughters, Madison and Alyssa, of Mapleton, Rachel Rice of Austin, and Matt Rice of Laramie, Wyo.; her mother, Mary Erickson of Storm Lake; her brothers: James and his wife Sue Garrett of Hampton, Iowa, and Robert Garrett of Blue Springs, Mo.; her sisters: Sr. Ellen Mary Garrett of Dubuque, Iowa, Teresa and her husband Ellsworth Jeppeson of Newell, Iowa, and Mary Beth and her husband August Erickson of Cherokee, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Glen &8220;Sonny&8221; Rice Jr.; father, Gene Garrett; and brother, Larry Garrett.