ALICE JANE DURFEE

Alice Jane Durfee born January 23, 1872 in Beaver Dam, Box Elder , Utah married
Nathaniel Able Rice born July 30, 1869 in Providence, Cache County, Utah.
Alice was born in Beaver Dam and was the seventh child in the Durfee family. The family moved to Providence, a rough frontier town. They left Providence when Alice was just 8 years old and moved to Almo, Idaho. Alice's early life experiences were that of primitive pioneers. She continued to live in Almo the rest of her life. Alice married Nathaniel Rice and although their marriage was all too brief, it was a happy and loving union. Alice became a very young widow and raised eight children without ever remarrying. She lived to be 101 years old and witnessed dramatic changes from horse and buggy to modern day progress during her lifetime. She stayed mentally alert and was the darling of all the nurses when she was hospitalized.

After Nathaniel's death, Alice struggled to care for her family. My father William was the oldest child and at a tender young age, only 13 years, when he took over the ranching chores. Dad later left home to herd sheep to help pay the taxes. Grandmother Rice's ranch was just a few miles from ours and we were very close with her and my aunts and uncle. In spite of all their hardships, they were the happiest people I have ever known. They were always laughing and telling funny experiences. Grandmother attended my birth along with my sisters and brothers with the exception of my youngest sister who was born in a hospital. We formed strong and loving bonds and I have an unending supply of fascinating and fun stories and a lifetime of good memories. I'll tell some of the stories in future postings.