Judy Kaye Rice

Judy Kaye Rice, age 69 of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 1:53 pm on Sunday November 5, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, surrounded by her loving family.  Born on August 15, 1954, in Garrett, IN, she was the daughter of James Edward and Virginia Louisa (Hildebrandt) Burniston.

Judy attended Garrett High School and later earned her GED. On January 31, 1981, she married Danny Lin Rice, Sr.  In the mid 1990’s they moved from Fort Wayne to Columbia City and moved to their home on Loon Lake in 1996.  Judy had an immense love for children.  She ran a daycare for several years before becoming a bus driver for Fort Wayne Community Schools, enjoying her extracurricular special needs routes, for 28 years and then for Whitley County Community Schools for 10 years. During that time, she was also first place driver in the bus rodeo competition.

Judy was a member of Sugar Grove Church of God and a former member of Mormon Latter Day Saints Church.  She enjoyed cake decorating, puzzling, playing cards, camping, and loved the palm trees on the beach in Florida.

Survivors include her children Heather Rice of Columbia City, Renee Howell and Roger Rice, both of Huntertown, Jennifer Fryback and Danny Rice, Jr., both of Fort Wayne, Jason (Elizabeth) Fryback and Megan (Johnny) Couch, both of Columbia City; daughter-in-law, Melissa Rice, 17 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild on the way; siblings Barbara Ordway of Hamilton, Margaret Burniston of Fort Wayne, Sharon Burniston of Auburn, and James (Alex) Burniston, Jr. of Fort Wayne; companion Bob Mudrack of Columbia City.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Julia Burniston, husband Danny Rice, Sr., sons, Lance Rice and Freddie Fryback, and infant grandson Colton Burns.

Friends may call on Thursday November 9, 2023, from 2:00-7:00 pm at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Funeral services for Judy will be held at 11:00 am on Friday November 10, 2023, at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in Thorn Cemetery, Ormas.

Memorial contributions in memory of Judy may be made to DeMoney- Grimes towards her final expenses.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.