Bonnie Jean Edwards Rice
June 11, 1957 – Oct. 17, 2025
Bonnie Jean (Edwards) Rice passed away peacefully with her husband at her side, his arms wrapped around her, holding her tight, on Oct. 17, 2025, in Rawlins, Wyoming. Pneumonia is the evil that took her away from us at the young age of 68. She had so many things she wanted to do in her life before passing that were just ripped away from her before she could get them done.
Bonnie was the youngest of three daughters born to Maj. Paul and Virginia (Villars) Edwards. She was born in Tampa, Florida, where her father was stationed at the time. They moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Bonnie attended Boulder Valley schools, graduating from Fairview High School.
In 1991, she met her future husband, Donald (Don) Rice. They moved to Rawlins, Wyoming, in 2003 and transitioned into retirement in 2019.
She was amazing in everything she did. Not everyone was able to see that about her. She always put others before herself. She fought and beat cancer more times than any person should have had to. Yet she still had a smile on her face that would light up a room and a story that would always make you laugh and smile. Her smile was infectious. Everyone who knew her will miss her forever and always. She was loved by all and hated by none.
Bonnie enjoyed her dogs, canning spicy pickles and beans, and selling them at the farmers markets each year. She also kept busy with the daycare she owned and operated for many years. She enjoyed the children immensely and had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren — she loved them dearly. Later, she moved on to the adult children. She was a waitress at many restaurants around the Boulder and Louisville, Colorado, area, as well as in Rawlins, Wyoming, where she made many friends and enjoyed hanging out with those friends and their families. The thing she wanted to do most, and wasn’t able to, was go on another Alaska cruise before her passing.
Some of her favorite things she liked to do were crafting, flower arranging, crocheting, watching her favorite soap opera, All My Children, and the simple things in life. She especially enjoyed judge shows — she could watch them for hours — playing in the dirt, gardening, fireworks on the Fourth of July, sitting on the front porch in the evening listening to music in the park, street fairs, glamping and camping, Alaska cruises, watching the Denver Broncos, drive-in movie theaters, going out to eat, mountain car rides, watching late-night movies, and most of all, just doing things she and Don could enjoy together.
She was preceded in death by her parents and both sisters.
She is survived by her husband, Don Rice, of 34 years; her stepchildren, Crystal and Michael; her grandchildren, Shailey, Kinzley, Dakota and Landen Rice; her nephew, Jake Happs, and niece, Molly Happs; as well as many other relatives and friends.