Laura (Koontz) Rice

Laura Rice (Koontz) passed on July 13th, 2021 surrounded by family and friends. She was born August 17th, 1957 in Euclid, Ohio and is survived by her husband, Lige; sons, William and Jon; grandsons, Nicholas and Ethan; sister, Terry Jopko (Stephen); brother, Michael Koontz (Holly); nieces, Erica Hadlock (Richard Jr.), Heather Harmon (David), Donielle Eakin (Khan); nephew, Stephen Jopko II (Jessica Quah); and eight great nieces and nephews. Laura was preceded in death by her parents, William and Gladys Koontz; and brother,

Laura was a 1975 graduate of Madison High School. She married the love of her life, Lige, on September 3rd, 1976 and enjoyed every adventure from raising 2 boys to all of the various animals adopted throughout the years.

For those who knew Laura, she valued and loved her family and opened her arms to anyone who needed help. She loved a good party, her favorite light brew and sharing many laughs with whomever was around. She was fiercely protective of her people (sons, grandsons, nieces and nephews) and jokingly referred to herself as a “Bad Bitch”.

Laura was driven by putting the care of others before herself. She had a Masters’ Degree in nursing and spent many years continuing her education with multiple certifications in geriatrics. Her passion was in the field of geriatric care. Laura was a director of nursing in various rehabilitation and nursing facilities, most recently at Oasis Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Youngstown, Ohio.

Friends and family will be received 2-5 pm Sunday, July 18, 2021 at Behm Family Funeral Home, 175 South Broadway in Geneva. Service will be 11 am Monday, July 19, 2021 at the funeral home. Contributions may be made in Laura’s name to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer. org/involved/donate/memorial-giving.html. Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com

Ronald Koontz.