Beverly P. (Kangas) Rice

GARDNER – Beverly P. (Kangas) Rice, 83, of Gardner, died peacefully Friday evening, February 27th in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, with her family at her side.

She was born in Andover, VT, daughter of the late Sulo and Annie (Moore) Kangas and was a resident of Gardner for most of her life.  She proudly served in the United States Army as a sergeant and cook at Fort Knox, KY and Fort Devens during the Korean War.

Beverly had worked as an egg candler many years ago at United Co-op Farmer in Fitchburg and later worked as a cook at the Old Mill Restaurant, Westminster.  Many years ago she worked at Gem Crib, Eastwood Pines and Gardner Manor.  For several years she worked as a nurse’s aide at Parker Hill Nursing Home.

Her husband of 54 years, Roland F. Rice, died in 2009.  She leaves six children, Ewaugh Leonard of Gardner, Mary Ellen Craft and her husband Jack of Orange, Annie M. Rice of Gardner, Roland F. “Fred” Rice Jr and his wife Gail of Fitchburg, Edward E. Rice of Gardner and Herbert D. Rice and his wife Christine of Gardner; two sisters, Martha Harrington and her husband Raleigh of Gardner and Rosemary Kangas of Gardner; one brother, Edward Kangas of Gardner; thirteen grandchildren, Elizabeth Leonard, Timothy Leonard, Amy L. Rice, Seth G. Rice, Danielle L. Rice, Matthew H. Rice, Alex M. Benavidez, Joseph E. Benavidez, Kristin L. Rice, Brandie Tice, Brandon Camarato, Angela M. Craft and Jessica Leblanc, as well as many nieces and nephews.   She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Muriel Gravel, Carolyn Kendall, Dorothy Moore, John Kangas, Ronald Kangas and Walter Kangas.

Military funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 4th at 1 P.M. in Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Tuesday, March 3rd from 6 to 8 PM and Wednesday, March 4th from 11:30 to 12:30 PM.

www.stone-ladeau.com

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