Rice Family News: January 2014

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Snow Day 2014

Today we had a snow day in GA. We went to school and the snow started falling around 11:30 and didn't stop until about six. We got 2.5 inches and it came so fast. Brad was stuck at work. He drove to a school near his work and had to walk to a friend's house nearby.He will be there for the night. Praying for everyone's safety! So scary!! We did have a really good time playing in it and are so glad to be home safe.

Snow angel fun

The kids loved it!

The house looks so pretty.

We then had some snow tub fun with our neighbors.

How about we eat the snow??

Mommy & Paige

Logan & Mommy

By four o'clock we had two inches. I think 's it 2 1/2 or 3 now at 9:00.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Dad

On Friday December 20, 2013 my dad ended his battle with cancer. He was diagnosed in May 2012 and fought very hard and courageously for a year and a half. He was faithful and strong even till his last days. We were all devastated to lose him but relieved that his body would be pain free. He knew where he was going and was not afraid to leave this earth. He was just sad to leave all of us. I can't even begin to describe in words what he means to me. He was an amazing example of a father and I am trying to parent my children just like he did for Steve, Jay, and I. He was so proud of us and loved so unconditionally. He was our biggest supporter and it will be so hard to not have him here to stand behind us and champion us all as we make choices. I also know he wants us to be strong, to love and go on with life. I am honored to have called him father and thank the Lord for the blessing he was to my children, my husband, and myself. I love you dad and will see you again in heaven. Isaiah 57:1-2
Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. (NLT)

Beautiful flowers we used for his service.

Dad with Paige when she was born.

Plant that my work gave me to honor dad.

Father/Daughter Dance

A recent picture from November. He just looks so cute here!

Spending time with his grandkids. He loved them so much as well.

The beautiful sunrise from Christmas morning that was a gift from above.

Steven J. Loetterle, Sr., 59, of Marietta passed away on December 20, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the son of Frederick and the late Caroline Loetterle of Lafayette.

Steve was a lifelong resident of Marietta, and served as a Councilman for the Town of Otisco since 1998. He also served as a deacon at The United Christian Church of Marietta. He was a proud employee of Young and Franklin, Inc. in Liverpool since 1991.

Steve enjoyed spending time with his family at the farm and Otisco Lake and hiking up to his cabin. Some of his favorite hobbies were trains and history, riding around on the old John Deere tractors and taking his grandchildren to the bunny park. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and mentor.

Surviving are his wife Cheryl, daughter Jennifer (Bradley) Rice, twin sons Steven Jr. and Jason (Nicole) Loetterle, stepson Jeremy (Ketrese) Barnes and stepdaughter Christa (Alberto) Barquero; his father Frederick, brother John (Beverley) Loetterle, and two sisters, Cindy (Donald) Stroup and Christine (Donald) Knapp; grandchildren Paige and Logan Rice, Christian Barnes and Emma Barquero.

"Life is like an old-time rail journey…delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts… interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." –Jenkins Lloyd Jones