Janet Mary Rice age 83, passed away at home in Florida on October 17, 2025 after battling cancer for almost 10 years. She always faced adversity with a smile and positive attitude and faced it head on.
She was born October 24, 1941 at the Klein Hospital in Broadus to James Archibald and Ella Blacklidge Archibald. She was joined by two sisters, Dorothy in 1944 and Betty in 1946. She grew up in the Hammond/Broadus area. When she was 14, she went to live with her foster parents, Oscar and Elvy Woods near Ashland. When she turned 18, she moved back to Broadus and went to work at the Broadus Merc for Greek and Eva Sullivan.
Janet met Nathan Rice through her foster sister, Signa and his brother Calvin and began dating. Nathan surprised her with a cake and an engagement ring for her 20th birthday. Janet and Nathan were married on February 24, 1962, in Miles City. In May of 1962, they had their wedding dance at the Sonnette Hall along with 4 other couples that were wed around the same time. She loved to dance and visit with neighbors and friends. They made their home on the Rice Brothers ranch in the Espie community. In 1964 they were excited and blessed to be able to adopt their son, Rick and then adopted Kathy in 1969. They were her pride and joy!
She was a member of the Epsie Homemakers club and sold Avon for a few years.
In 1978 she went to work for John and Olive Mellor and continued working for Larry and Blonde Woolston at the IGA. She worked there for 34 years. She really enjoyed working and took pride in making sure the produce looked fresh and presentable. She also enjoyed making different types of salads and party trays, especially helping Blonde with the bank trays for the Christmas stroll.
Her passions were gardening, cake decorating, baking and making homemade candies and caramels. She also enjoyed canning. Her white pickles were famous around the county. She also took pride in helping get the Farmer’s market set up and going. She loved selling all her wonderful produce, canned and homemade baked goods.
Every year she would say she wasn’t going to plant a big garden and every year it was still as big or bigger than it was the year before. Even when she was going through chemo and radiation and Dr. Lucas told her to stay out of the sun and not work very hard, she was still out in the garden on the weekends when she was home. She was bound and determined to keep her garden growing! She won numerous Grand Champion and other ribbons at the fair for her efforts.
Janet was preceded in death, by her parents, foster parents, husband Nathan, brother in laws Calvin and Freedus Rice, Skin Collins and sister Signa Rice.
She is survived by her son, Rick Rice, daughter Kathy (Tony) Pumroy, grandson, Logan Pumroy, sisters Dorothy Taylor and Betty Collins, brother Bert (Helen) Woods, nephews Don Collins, Allen Rice, Vern (Andrea) Rice and niece Jenny (Rob Amende) Miller. She is also survived by many other nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Broadus cancer fund.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Friday October 31, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday November 1, 2025
Powder River Congregational Church
309 West Wilson Street
Broadus, Montana 59317
Interment
Following the funeral service
Saturday November 1, 2025
Valley View Cemetery
Broadus, Montana 59317
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Friday October 31, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday November 1, 2025
Powder River Congregational Church
309 West Wilson Street
Broadus, Montana 59317
Interment
Following the funeral service
Saturday November 1, 2025
Valley View Cemetery
Broadus, Montana 59317
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Sheri Gali says
Janet was a grand lady who will be missed. Even through her trials and tribulations she always had a smile. She loved you kids so much. I remember sitting waiting to put my kids on the bus and her and Nathan were waiting for Larry ( they were going to a food market) she was sitting right beside Nathan in the car and I thought to myself, now THAT is true love! RIP Dearest neighbor, I will miss you. ♥️💔 Hugs Kathy and Rick ♥️♥️
Carol says
Kathy, Rick and your families, I’m so sorry for your loss. Janet was such a special lady and friend. She had a heart of gold, always a smile and kind word for everyone. She worked for my parents, John & Olive Mellor, and became much more than an employee. She’s at peace and pain free now. God blesses her!🙏
Carol Mellor Hanrahan
Mable Watters Lane says
Janice was a great person and a wonderful Lady 💗 Everyone that know her will miss her!! I will pray for all of you Betty, Dot, and your families 💔💔🕊️🕊️
Pat Jones says
So sorry for your loss, God Bless yous at this time.
Ginger says
It was such an honor and privilege to have known Janet. She and her sister Betty hosted my baby shower, which featured a cute cake made by Janet’s more-than-capable hands. Her optimism and amazing work ethic was an inspiration to us young’uns, making us want to be better than what was expected. Janet’s courage and determination to fight the obstacles life brought her was second to none. I will miss her terribly, love her always, and think of her often.
Sincere condolences to those Janet left behind.
Betty Collins says
Oh, sister. I hate to give you up. But it was time.
You endured many hardships in your time, and always took them with grace. Love and hugs to Rick, Kathy and all the family. We will always miss you and hold your memories close at heart. Until we meet again in that heavenly sky. Love ❤️ you sister. B.J.
Marcia Hedrick says
All though I have never met Janet, I felt as though we were the best of cousins. I am going to miss her so much. What a sweet, loving, and caring person she was. Whenever I was going through something, Janet was right there talking me through it. I just hope that she will become my guardian angel now as she was before. I love and will miss you Janet, but I still have Kathy.
Dorothy Taylor says
What a wonderful and beautiful sister I had. Your legacy of love for Kathy and Rick is a gift for all time. You fought your battles courageously and are now at peace. Blessings to all the family. Will see you again in the glorious heavens. Love you💔❤️ Dott
Gwen Gamrath Strub says
On year Grandma Ann (Carroll) asked me to clerk for the Foods judge at the PR County Fair as the judge was my cousin, Lynell Denson. I’ll never forget when Lynell opened Janet’s entry of a quart jar of pickled okra. She insisted I try one, they were absolutely amazing! We called Ann over to try one too. We couldn’t quit eating them as Lynell finished judging all of the other entries. At the end of the day, Janet was declared the Grand Champion and we laughed when we put the ribbon on the pickled okra…. all that was left was a quart jar of brine 🙂 I’ll never forget those amazing okra. Janet thought it was so funny to see the ribbon on an empty jar, what a neat lady! My condolences to her family.
Carol Schneidt says
Hugs and prayers to all of Janet’s family! She worked hard all of her life and was a great lady!
Cindy Csthey Rock says
Janet left a wide circle of admirers in her life. A hard worker, a woman of deep faith and enduring grit. A wonderrful cook, Gardner and friend. She faced her cancer battle head on and was a very courageous in her battle. Sending deepest condolences to the entire family. She is now at peace, with her dear Nathan, forever where she will never have to say goodbye again. Till we meet in Heaven, remembering you every day. 💐
Julie Emmons Stoddard says
Janet will be missed. She represented an era of hard work and excellence in what she did. And she was always, always so kind. Condolences to the family.
Pam Nisley says
I am so grateful she touched our lives in so many positive ways!
I will always cherish my time with her at her garden a few years ago! Such an inspiration ❤️!!!
She talked so proudly of her family, Kathy you model for us all what loving our parents truely looks like! Thank you!!
Rick she was very proud of you!! Yes, of both you and Kathy!! Oh the immense joy her family brought her!!
When she told me of her grandson in the service to our nation….she was over the moon with pride!
May you all know the peace of Christ in these times of parting….praying for comfort for you all ! Hugs!! ❤️
Praying for peace and comfort for all of her loved ones!!
Robbin Stoddard says
Janet was a kind, gentle, hard-working woman, with a smile that could lift even the heaviest heart. Heartfelt condolences to her family and friends who will surely miss her so much.
Laura Lee and Vic Ullrich says
My deepest sympathies to Rick and Kathy and to Dot and Betty! Janet was so good at everything she did! Her fruitcakes were the best as were her candies. She and I both entered gardening produce in the County Fair and I learned so much from her just looking at the entries. She did everything the hard old fashioned way and grew the most amazing things. She exemplified perfection and was always willing to go that extra mile. Even when she was bent over and hardly able to get around, she could work circles around most of us. But her most amazing attribute was her loving, accepting, non-judgemental heart! I rejoice that she is with her beloved Nathan and is pain free. Prayers continue for all who knew and loved Janet!
Cora Mae Ofstie says
To All of Janet’s sisters, children & friends, we grieve with you. We rejoice because we got to know this amazing woman.
Lisa Gaskill says
Such a grand and wonderful lady. I have missed her since she moved to Florida. So very sorry for your loss.
ArLynn and Walter Archer says
Janet was a classmate, seventy years ago. I always admired her. She had a special family, Nathan, Rick and Kathy. She was so hard working, talented in gardening, cooking and baking. More recently I enjoyed her wonderful positive e-mails from her daughter, Kathy and family’s home in FL. Her whole life seemed positive due to God’s blessings. Never a negative word about anything or anyone or her health battles later in her life. Visiting with her was always a delight. Rest in peace special lady. Prayers for Kathy, Rick, Dot and Betty and families.
Carolyn E Hays says
Vern and Andrea, so sorry to hear about your loss. May God comfort and keep you in this time of sorrow. Think of you kids often and wonder how you are doing. Cooky
sharyn says
Your mom taught us all what living is…
Kelly Babb says
Dear Janet,
It was my privilege to have had the opportunity to work with you at the IGA. You were a master at anything produce related from growing to preserving and displaying it at the store. I remember the special fruit cakes and other goodies you made for the holidays. Those Christmas Stroll displays were the best. I learned so much from you. You also taught me how to decorate cakes, though never to the extent and skill you had. You have fought the battles of life,. Rest now in pain free peace. You touched my life and many others in your own remarkable way! You are missed!
Floyd Huckins says
Kathy, Rick, and all of Janet’s family;
Janet was the definition of strength and all that’s good. Never a negative or disparaging word, and always a smile and a greeting.
I already miss her morning comments on Facebook. We are all living better lives for having known Janet Rice.
Janice Drexel Baier says
Janet, you missed catching up with me by just a few days. Knowing you has been one of my life’s greatest experiences.
Andrea Rice says
RIP aunt Janet . You will be dearly missed!