Verna C. Rice, 91, of Rockford formerly of Belvidere, died Sunday, January 23, 2011 in Crimson Pointe Assisted Living Center. She was born June 23, 1919 in Belvidere, Illinois; the daughter of Hans and Carrie (Hannson) Strandberg. Verna married Howard Rice on November 27, 1946. He preceded her in death in 1997. She worked forty-four years for J.C. Penny in Belvidere as a retail sales clerk. She retired in 1983. She was a member and Past-president of the V.F. W. Women's Auxilary; member of the American Legion Women's Auxilary; Women of the Moose and the Pinocle Club. Verna is a graduate of Belvidere High School. She is survived by her niece, Karen (Larry) VanderBeke, Lincolnshire, Illinois and nephew, Ken Bowley, Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition to her husband, Verna is preceded in death by three sisters, Evelyn Bowley, Rose Heywood and Florence Strandberg; and two brothers, Arthur and Marvin Strandberg.