Mona M. Rice Died June 13, 2026

LAKE LEELANAU- Mona Marie Rice, 81, of Lake Leelanau passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at MediLodge of Leelanau surrounded by her loving family. Mona was born on December 18, 1944, at Munson Medical Center, the daughter of Robert and Dorothy (McNeil) Plamondon Sr. On June 14, 1966, at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Leelanau she married James Richard Rice who survives.
Mona Rice lived a life deeply rooted in faith, family, and the arts. Gifted with a beautiful singing voice, Mona sang with a rare and vibrant passion. Some of her family’s most cherished memories are of her singing at gatherings, her voice rising beautifully alongside her brothers’ guitars. Her love for music extended to the piano, where she delighted in playing classic country and festive Christmas carols. Her grandchildren adored these musical moments, often singing along and basking in the unique, intentional way Mona made every single one of them feel uniquely special.
A woman of profound Catholic faith, Mona centered her life around Jesus and the Blessed Mother. She faithfully prayed the rosary every day, constantly sending strength, positive energy, and prayers for health and happiness to those she loved. When she went to church, she sang truly from the heart.
When she wasn’t surrounded by family and friends, Mona found inner peace and reflection through painting. Her artwork, heavily inspired by the beauty of nature and her deep faith, was just one of her many remarkable gifts.
Mona also dedicated much of her life to the care of others. She worked as a caregiver at Munson Medical Center for four years and later spent a year serving patients at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. Early in her marriage, while her husband was stationed at Ft. Rucker prior to his deployment to Vietnam, she worked at Dale County Hospital in Ozark, Alabama. Mona was immensely proud of her husband’s military service, particularly his meaningful work serving on the Honor Guard for veterans’ funerals. She will be deeply missed, but her song lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Mona is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, James; her children, Nicholas (Patricia) Rice, Julie (Bob) White, Daniel Rice, Emily Rice and Therese Nash; her siblings, Ken (Paula) Plamondon, Ernest Plamondon, Cathy (John) Skeba, Gregory (Shari) Plamondon, Stephen (Mary) Plamondon, and Todd (Denise) Plamondon; her grandchildren, Maghan (Ryan) Cox, Emily Burch, Evangeline Rice, Clayton Dubay, Zachary Rice, Brett Rice, Alec Rice, Tasha Nash, Tara Nash, Clyde Nash, Micayah Nash, Job Nash, and Yoel Nash; and her great-grandchildren, Camille Dubay, Royce Cox and Rowan Cox.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Dorothy Plamondon; and her siblings, Marlin Plamondon, Robert Plamondon, and Rebecca Miller.
The funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. with the family greeting friends one hour prior on Saturday, June 27th at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Leelanau. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery will follow the service. Father James Siler will serve as celebrant.
Please share condolences and memories with Mona’s family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.