Jean B Tice

Our beloved Jean Bell Tice passed away peacefully at home on December 8 at the age of 98. She was born to Abby Wackerle Bell and Robert Bell on August 11, 1923 in Chetopa, Kansas. Her father owned a grocery store there, and all through childhood she worked in the store. In high school, she was voted “Best All Around Girl”, and one year was “Miss Chetopa”. After graduating from high school, she began her studies at Pittsburg State College in Kansas, being the only woman in her high school class to attend college. She held multiple jobs while attending college, including working in a munitions factory during World War II and also working on the college switchboard. She graduated with a degree in Psychology, and after getting a job as a social worker, she learned about and obtained a scholarship to study Physical Therapy at Kansas University. After completing those studies in this field that she loved, she went on to work in the KU hospital as a physical therapist. That’s where she met Dr. Wayne Tice, and they were married in 1947. They then went to University of Iowa in Iowa City for her husband’s residency in Radiology and she worked in the hospital at the University until their first child, Beverly, was born.

In December of 1950, Wayne went to Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, to serve as a radiologist in the army during the Korean War. Jean and her daughter joined him in Japan in his second year there. After returning to Iowa City, their son, David, was born, and a few months later, they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Wayne joined a Radiology practice and their son, Robert, was born. In 1958 they moved to Independence, Missouri, so they could be closer to their parents, where they lived until 1979 when they moved to Lee’s Summit.

In addition to being a housewife for much of her life and caring for her 3 children, Jean enjoyed many groups she was a part of in the community. For many years she was active in the Presbyterian Church, serving as Deacon, Elder, first woman Clerk of the Session, and singing in the choir. An active member in her beloved women’s group, PEO, for over 50 years, she held different positions, including chairman of the scholarship peace fund and chairman of continuing education. She also was an accomplished investor and joined an investment club. She volunteered at the Independence Hospital for many years in the hospital gift shop. Jean loved to drive, and she and her husband, Wayne, loved to take car trips through the years, especially to the Southwest. In later years she spent many happy hours playing bridge with her friends, reading and researching things she was interested in on her computer. Jean was a real “people person”, thrived on her many friendships, and many were inspired by her radiant smile, humor and generosity.

Jean loved playing bridge, and in her later years, she played bridge several days a week with her friends. At age 91, she was still driving to Overland Park to play bridge in the Duplicate Bridge studio. She always had a very active mind and loved researching various subjects on her Ipad and emailing her friends, even into her last months. Thanks to her beloved caretakers and Hospice, she was able to remain in her home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Wayne Tice in 2004.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Beverly Tice-Deering of Seattle; 2 sons, David Tice of Dallas, and Robert Tice of San Diego; granddaughters, Abby Gallivan and Katie MacDonald; plus 4 great grandchildren.

She loved her family and friends deeply and whole heartedly, and we take comfort in knowing that Jean is now at peace, surrounded by light.

In honor of Jean, please do something kind for someone, or make a donation for those in need.

A grave side ceremony will be held in Chetopa, Kansas, in the Spring.