Nadine Elnor (Tracy) Rice

     Nadine Elinor Tracy Rice, born July 21, 1925, in Norton, KS, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2026, at the age of 100.

     Nadine was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Zella Tracy; her husband, Bob; her sister, Doris; her daughter, Susan; her daughter-in-law, Mary; and her great-grandson, Keven.

     She is survived by her son, Tom Rice; her son-in-law, Max Hall; her grandchildren, Grady Hall (Amber), Ryan Hall (Janette), Deena Rice, and Lona Legarreta (Smokey); her great-grandchildren, Chase Hall, Cayden Hall (Jaysee), Dakota Childers, Alec Hall, Derek Rice (Heather), Isabella Ojeda (Jesse), Zandyr Legarreta, and Alec Legarreta; and her great-great-grandchildren, River, Andre, Greydon, Rosalie, Simon, and Ezra.

     Nadine was deeply family-oriented and lived her life with a warm and generous heart. She never forgot a birthday and was known for sending flowers for every special occasion. Her sympathetic nature meant the sound of a child crying would instantly tug at her heartstrings. She cherished every moment spent with her family and was happiest when surrounded by loved ones. She inherited her strong love of family from her parents, and to her, family was her life.

     An accomplished artist, Nadine especially enjoyed watercolor painting, creating stained glass pieces, and making beautiful ornaments. She played the clarinet in a band with friends after high school and loved to sing for various church groups. She was an avid camper and enjoyed many memorable trips camping with her children. She also had a special fondness for her little dogs, Cookie and Boomer, who brought joy to everyone around them. Nadine was famous for her homemade cookies and her amazing banana bread, which family members eagerly anticipated for their birthdays.

     Nadine was a talented athlete in her own right. She was an excellent golfer and once achieved a hole-in-one. Though she couldn’t hit the ball far, she was a wizard with her chipping and putting. She generously taught her grandchildren how to golf and how to paint. She also enjoyed playing bridge and bowling, and was a proud member of the Gooding Leader bowling team and the Gooding Ladies Golf Association.

     She had a sweet tooth and loved sharing root beer floats with her grandkids. She was known to accuse others of “stealing her candy.” One of her favorite Bible passages was Matthew 6:14: “If you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.” She also often said she danced to the tune that was played.

     Nadine worked as a bookkeeper for Brooks Feed Store and later as a secretary for the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind. With her very first paycheck, she bought a horse named Rocket—a testament to her independent spirit.

     A woman of many endearing quirks, Nadine kept blocks under the seat in her car and used pedal extensions so she could reach the pedals comfortably. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved measuring themselves against her to see if they had finally grown taller than “Gram.”

     Nadine will be remembered for her artistic talents, her love of music, her kindness, her sense of humor, and above all, her unwavering devotion to her family. She touched the lives of everyone who knew her and leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue through generations.

     A graveside service will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding.

     Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

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