Hope Elizabeth Martha Rice

Hope Elizabeth Martha Rice, 88, of Bettendorf, IA, passed away peacefully after her battle with Alzheimer’s on September 17, 2024.

Hope was born in Melrose Park, IL on September 13, 1936 to Lester and Margaret (Welch) Kunst. She was the oldest of 4 kids and grew up poor, like so many others at that time. The family home in Moline was unfinished when they moved in and had no running water. Even before she graduated from High School Hope was taking art classes, she worked at a jewelry store, a five and dime store, then married Horace Lee Rice on September 1, 1956. 

Hope devoted her life to her passion of creating art. She painted with chalk, watercolors, acrylics, oil, pen, pencil, charcoal, copper tooling and more. She painted on paper, canvas, barn board, windows, screens, saw blades. Barn scenes, people and teddy bears were her favorites to paint. Hope employed sales representatives to stock stores across 5 states and employed a couple of workers to assemble and ship. She owned Wildflowers Gift Shop in Clinton IA for 9 years. Hope was one of the first artists to show at the Fulton Dutch Days annual festival. She displayed artwork in many local fairs, galleries and served as a judge. Hope has been featured in over 5 newspaper articles over the years. She shared her passion of art with her family also teaching them how to draw. She took pilot lessons, sewed dresses for her daughters growing up, enjoyed bowling and square-dancing, gardened, was a fantastic cook and had many enjoyable trips to various casinos. 

As with her love of art she also had the same love for her family. Having everyone over for the holidays and cooking many great meals at the home she built with her husband. There are many memories she shared with her family out on the river in the cabin and on their pontoon boat. 

Surviving children are Elizabeth A Keller (Jim), Sue Rice, Virginia Poole (Roger)

Grandchildren are Jessica Burn, Mary Burn, Bill Burn, Sarah Robbins, Bevan Rice; 12 great-grandchildren.

Hope was preceded in death by her Parents Lester and Margaret (Welch) Kunst, Husband Horace Lee Rice, Brother Richard Kunst and Grandson Chris Sanchez. May they rest in peace.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Triple Play Bowling & Banquet, 1601 9th Ave, Fulton, IL 61252. Please text Sue Rice to RSVP at 815-589-3215.

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.