Kathryn Jo Rice-Cain, 94

Kathryn Jo Rice-Cain, 94, passed away peacefully at her home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, surrounded by her loving family on Jan. 21, 2017. She was born the seventh of eight children on Dec. 8, 1922, in Purcell, Okla., to Nettie Viola and James Roy Mitchell.

She grew up in the farmlands of Oklahoma, attended Maysville High School and graduated in 1942. She attended business college in Oklahoma City and worked for Safeway as a secretary. She moved with her family to Santa Paula, Calif., during World War II. She met her husband, Hal Patrick Rice, on a blind date and they married after the war. Settling in Oxnard, Calif., they raised five children: Cheri, Ron, Mary Lynn, Annette and Ellen. As a homemaker she enjoyed sewing, camping, church activities, music and time with her extended family. After her children were raised, she worked in child development as well as for the Oxnard School District.

Kathryn Jo was widowed in 1985 after 39 years of marriage. In the summer of 1986, she moved to Harpster, Idaho, near two of her daughters, Ellen and Mary Lynn. In 1992, she married Ivan Warren Cain, a longtime family friend and widower. They eventually moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and began touring with RVICS (Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service), a Christian support ministry that helps churches, schools and camps with building projects. They traveled with RVICS for nine years throughout the western states during the winter months, spending summers in North Idaho. They were members of Mountain Lakes Bible Church, and enjoyed their many children and grandchildren. They were married for 16 years before Ivan passed away in 2008.

Kathryn Jo was a volunteer at Ramsey Elementary School reading program, was active in her church and enjoyed her family. She was always happiest when holding a baby or toddler on her lap.

She is survived by her children, Cheri (Dan) O’Donnell of Rogue River, Ore., Ronald (Lezlie) Rice of Wrangell, Alaska, Mary Lynn (Mark) Vore of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Ellen (Fred) Ziska of Sagle, Idaho; as well as 50 grandchildren including great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Special thanks from the family to Hospice and to Linda Kickland, her loving caregiver for the past several years.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at Mountain Lakes Bible Church, 2215 N. Seventh St., Coeur d’Alene. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Mountain Lakes Bible Church.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. You may visit Kathryn’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.