Nita Mae Rice, 83

Nita Mae Rice, 83, passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2007, at her home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

At her request, no services will be held.

Nita was born on May 14, 1924 in Grenora, N.D., the daughter of George and Gunda (Lindquist) Johnson. She moved with her family to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1936 and attended local schools.

During World War II, she worked for the Boeing Aircraft Company in Seattle, Wash., and returned to Sandpoint after the war.

Nita won the amateur dance competition at the Panida Theatre, sponsored by Floyd Gray, the mayor of Sandpoint.

She owned and operated The Lamppost, a tavern located at the location of the former Ricardo's Pizza on Cedar Street in the 1950s.

She worked at several sawmills including the Cedar Shake mill at Naples, Idaho, and at the sawmill in Moyie Springs.

Nita met David Rice and they were married in 1963 and made their home in Bonners Ferry for the next 44 years.

She raised goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, and peacocks and took in any stray abandoned dog and cared for them.

Nita was a hard worker and when an opinion was needed, she was not afraid to voice her thoughts and speak her mind.

She will be remembered for her hard work, generosity, spirit and devotion to her loving husband Dave and all the animals she cared for.

Survivors include her husband, Dave Rice of Bonners Ferry; a sister, Mavis Walker of Spirit Lake; two brothers, Lou Johnson of Tacoma, Wash., and Keith ( Betty) Johnson of Samuels, Idaho. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Butch Lee; a brother, David Johnson; three sisters, Ramona Johnson (infant), Lorraine Leone and Deloris Johnson; and her father-in-law.

Lakeview Funeral home is handling the arrangements. Please visit Nita's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.