Mary Frances Gerik Trice, of Waco, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 after suffering a stroke. A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m., Friday, July 29, at Oakcrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco. Visitation will follow from 5 to 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Cyril Ejaidu at St. Louis Catholic Church, 2001 N. 25th St., Waco at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 30. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Mary was born on Sept. 1, 1926 in McLennan County, near West, to Emil Joseph Gerik and Mary P. Karlik Gerik. She was the fourth of ten children. She graduated from Aquilla High School, where she was named to the All-State basketball team. In 1945, she entered Providence Hospital School of Nursing, and she later joined the Cadet Nurse Corp. She was an RN at Providence Hospital, and during her career she was the nurse for Doctor Woolsey, for Dr. William Roddy, and for the Waco Heart Clinic, which treated indigent heart patients. She married Tom Carter Trice on February 27, 1949, and they had 2 daughters. Mary volunteered with the Waco Symphony Council and Historic Waco, and she initiated the formation of the Waco Women’s Golf Association, serving as President. She and Tom enjoyed traveling, playing golf, hunting dove, and family get-togethers, where “Mimi” always prepared delicious food. Her many recipes are cherished by her children and grandchildren and will be passed down for generations. On the day of her stroke, she baked a cake for her family. Mary was always thinking and doing for others. She volunteered at St. Catherine’s chapel by helping patients get to daily mass. Her life was service to others….a life well-lived.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Tom C. Trice; sisters, Leona Hanzelka, Marcella Geisler, and Nancy Stenseth; and brothers, Edwin Gerik and Jerry Gerik.

Survivors include her daughters, Rosanne Trice Miller, and husband, Jimmy, of Dallas, and Pam Trice Cox and husband, Britt, of Waco; sisters, Edith Cernosek, Betty Stanislav, Lucille Lednicky, and Margie Goldberg; five grandchildren, Mark Miller and wife, Jeannie, of Dallas; Emily Horton of Dallas; Andrew Miller and wife, Amanda, of Dallas; Laura Mooneyham and husband, Rob, of Crosby; and Michael Colwick and wife, Michelle, of Keller; ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers include John Ridlehuber, Tom Gingerich, Sid Ridlehuber, Rex Trice, Bill Falco, Buddy Cernosek, Ken Gerik, and Mike Lednicky.

Memorials can be made to Providence Hospice Place, 300 Hwy. 6, Waco, TX 76712, or to the charity of your choice.

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