Creston News Advertiser
Creston, Union County, Iowa
Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Mabel B. McCULLOUGH RICE, 99, of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, formerly of Mount Ayr, died December 23, 2003, at her home.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 20 at the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr. The Rev. Susan THOMAS will officiate the service. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Mount Ayr. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday until service time at the church. Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church or restoration of the depot, both in Mount Ayr.

Mrs. RICE, daughter of Bertha and Isaac BEDELL, was born January 8, 1904, in Lamoni. On August 2, 1921, she married Gur McCULLOUGH. On Aug. 13, 1948, she married Clinton "Whitey" RICE. She was the first woman in Iowa to receive a pilot's license and received a law degree by correspondence. She owned and operated a farm equipment dealership and automotive dealership in Mount Ayr before moving to Canada. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and past board member of the Ringgold County Hospital.

Survivors include two sons, Gary (wife Merill) McCULLOUGH and Clint RICE, all of Dawson Creek, British Columbia; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, second husband Clinton RICE, sisters Zoretta and Laverne and brother Wayne.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, March 18, 2004

Mabel Beatrice McCULLOUGH RICE passed away on December 23, 2003 at her home at the age of 99 years and short 17 days of being her 100th birthday.

A celebration of her life service was held on January 8, 2004 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada.

Born in Lamoni, Iowa on January 8, 1904 to Isaac and Bertha BEDELL, she was the eldest of two sisters and one brother. She lived in Mount Ayr, Iowa all her life before moving to Canada in 1972 with her husband, Clinton (Whitney) and sons, Gary and his family and Clint, to the East Pine area, in which they first started developing and clearing land in 1949.

Mabel was a successful business woman, achieving a law degree by correspondence, an the first woman in the state of Iowa to receive her pilots license. Some of her venues ranged from farm equipment and automotive dealershps, land developer and ranchers (sic) and was an avid hunter and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 81 years.

Mabel was predeceased by her husband Clinton (Whitney) in 1980, two sisters, one brother and her parents.

She is survived by her son Gary (Merill) and his children, Brenda, Renee (Phil), Sondi (Bill) and Tamera (Merv), and her son Clint and his children, Thayne and Kayle; eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at the Mount Ayr United Methodist Church with Reverend Susan THOMAS officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.

Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2012

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