February 27, 1938 – December 8, 2024

Clarice Annette Kennah (Rice), age 86, passed away following a brief illness in Loveland, CO, on December 8, 2024, with granddaughter Ashley by her side. She was a beloved wife, mother, foster mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She touched the lives of many with her warmth, kindness, and unconditional love.  Clarice was a Catholic and very strong in her faith.

Clarice was born on February 27, 1938 in Casper, WY, the oldest of four children.  The family lived on a ranch in Meeteetse, WY.  Her father died when she was six and her mother and siblings moved to Casper.  Her mother never remarried and the family had a difficult time making ends meet.  Clarice attended University High School in Laramie for 2 years from 1954 to 1955. She graduated from Natrona County High School in 1957.  In May, 1957, she met the love of her life, Henry and they were married on  August 20, 1957.  Together they raised six children, Henry (PeeWee), Mike, Pat, Wanda, T.F. (Tom) and Terra. 

Shortly after they were married, they moved to an assignment on the Muddy, near Crowheart, WY.  Henry worked for Texaco Oil in Casper so Clarice was often left alone with the three older boys, PeeWee, Mike and Pat.  There she became an expert at killing rattlesnakes or, as the three boys called them, biting snakes.  It was a different time then, now she wouldn’t have thought of killing anything. 

In 1966, the family moved to Lander to be closer to medical care for Clarice.  In 1968 they moved to the Home Place near Ft. Washakie to ranch.  Clarice lived there ranching, raising her family, her grandkids and taking in numerous foster kids.  After her husband passed away in 2010, she lived there on her own until 2012 when she moved to the Lander Senior Apartments.   

Clarice loved to cook and bake for her kids.  She made delicious meals, baked wonderful bread, cinnamon rolls, cakes, pies, and whatever else she could think of.  She loved to sing, and play the piano and organ.  Whenever she had the opportunity,  she would sing songs and lullabies to her kids, especially when driving.  

Clarice loved Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Ft. Washakie where she played the organ for many years. 

Clarice was a survivor for sure.  She had numerous medical issues but never let that stop her from participating in activities.   When asked how she was doing, she’d often say, “oh, I’m hanging in there!”.  

In 2014 she moved with T.F. and his family to Laramie.  Fully independent, she lived on her own at Laramie Square Apartments and had many cherished friends there.  Clarice had many firsts while living in Laramie, including traveling twice to Disney World, riding roller coasters, going to Yellowstone National Park, 4-wheeling, and enjoying the many things the Laramie area offers.  Clarice loved butterflies.  Anything and everything with butterflies.  She would often be seen with all kinds of butterfly accessories in her hair.  At every occasion he could (much to the chagrin of T.F), PeeWee would gift her butterfly accessories and she would wear them proudly!  In August, 2022, she was so happy to welcome Joel and his wife, Amanda’s son Julian, her newest great-grandson.  Mom was included in everything with T.F.’s family and was always ready for the next adventure.  She was well taken care of by T.F., Vicki, Joel and his wife, Amanda, Ashley and Kristian.  T.F. had coffee with mom every morning before work and enjoyed that time with her very much.

Clarice attended weekly mass at St. Paul’s Newman Center in Laramie.  She loved St. Paul’s and Fr. Rob.   If she were able, she would have attended daily mass, every holy day, and any other opportunity to participate in the community.

Clarice was preceded in death by her parents, James and Ann, beloved husband, Henry, son, Mike, daughter, Wanda, brother Mike Rice.  She is survived by her sisters Virginia Yohn and Cathy Rice, children Henry (PeeWee) and his wife Joy; Pat, wife Cindy; T.F. (Tom) and his wife Vicki; Terra and husband Troy;  grandchildren Josh, Michael, Henry, Steven, Branden, Sarah, Kayla, Clarissa, Mathew, Colby, Joel, Zach, Ashley, Olivia, Kristian, Tanner and Christoper; numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.  She considered her nephew Bob Watt a son.  Bob spent many summers with the older boys at the assignment on the Muddy and later at the Home Place near Ft. Washakie.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Cremation has taken place and a mass of Christian Burial will take place in Laramie at a later date, followed by burial next to her late husband in the Kennah Family Cemetery at the Home Place in Ft. Washakie, WY.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Stephens Mission, 33 St. Stephens Road, St. Stephens, WY 82524.

“I love you all, God bless, and remember, Jesus loves you”.