Magdalena Rice, 92 of Van Buren passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at Mercy Crest Assisting Living in Barling. Magdalena’s life and love was her family and she was a caregiver to many who passed from death to new life in Christ Jesus. She was a homemaker and she enjoyed employment at Kay Chair and Alma Canning in Van Buren. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren, crocheting, flower and vegetable gardening. She was a former religious education instructor and a past member of St. Michael’s Altar Society. She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Van Buren. She was preceded in death by her husband, James D. Rice; her parents, John and Theresa (Fisher) Klein; one sister, Frances Klein; her twin brothers, Joseph and Andrew Klein and Adam Klein.

Rosary and visitation with family and friends will be at Monday, October 10, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Ocker Funeral Home 700 Jefferson Street, Van Buren.

Funeral mass service will be at 9:30 A.M. Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Van Buren with burial at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.

She is survived by one daughter, Mary Brooks and husband, Bob of Shawnee, Oklahoma’ five sons, Edward Rice and wife, Pat of Kosciusko, MS, John Rice, Sr and wife Mary Basha of Van Buren, James Rice and wife, Deannie of Oklahoma City, OK, Joseph and Anthony Rice both of Van Buren; two sisters, Peggy Holsti and husband, Art of Bismarck, ND and Catherine Traxinger of Bulah, ND; one brother, Anton Klein and wife, Julie of Mandan, ND; Eleven Grandchildren, Melody Brooks-Bass, Magdalena Ramsey, Alison Henson, Susan Downing, Sarah Buckley, Christopher and Justin Brooks, Jason, James Eric, David and John Jr. Rice; Twenty Two great grandchildren, Tansy, Myra and Keilee Brooks, Brianna Hair, Gracie Joyner, Katie, Madison and Savannah Rice, Mia and Lily Downing; Austin Ramsey, Brooks, Sam, Tucker, Coy and Dawson Rice, Zackery, Nickolas and Jakob Henson, Hayden and Brock John Rice and Jameson Buckley.

Pallbearers will be John Rice, Sr., Ed Rice, Joe Rice, Tony Rice, Charles Henson and Bob Brooks.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons and great grandsons

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Church 1025 Pointer Trail, Van Buren, Arkansas 72956.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Magdalena Rice (Klein), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.