JoAnne Lizar-Rice peacefully entered God's loving embrace on Wednesday, April 7. JoAnne was born on June 14, 1931 in Perrin, MO., and lived in the surrounding area her entire life.

JoAnne was preceded in death by her first husband Jack Lizar in 2001, her son Bobby Lizar in 1989 and her daughter Teresa in 2010, siblings John Bill, Bobby, and Lorraine, brothers-in-law Bob Lizar and Sidney Willens, sisters-in-law Olive and Jeanne, and JoAnne's parents, John and Mary Golden and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jewell and Bessie Lizar.

JoAnne graduated from Plattsburg High School in 1948 where she was homecoming queen and the drum majorette. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Jack, on September 2, 1950. JoAnne and Jack exemplified the best of what a marriage should be for 51 years. They raised five children together. JoAnne married again on June 7, 2008 to Robert Rice of Kearney.

JoAnne began her business career in the FBI offices in Kansas City. After moving to the Smithville area in 1969 she continued her career at Spelman Hospital, remaining there until she retired as the hospitals administrative executive secretary in 1988.  

JoAnne enjoyed a very active retirement and supported several volunteer organizations serving her community. As a cancer survivor, she was active in the Reach for Recovery program helping other women recovering from breast cancer. She also enjoyed being a member of St. Luke's Auxiliary and the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. JoAnne was an active member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic minister, lector and with the Altar Society. She and Jack, along with the "uncouth group", were instrumental in establishing the Catholic Church in Smithville and in getting the original church built.

JoAnne is survived by her husband Robert Rice, children Mary Lizar, Lisa Barber and husband John, John Lizar and wife Gabriele, her Swedish son Ove, grandchildren Jonnae, Jason, Robert, Jacquelynn and Joshua, great grandchildren Harper and Rhett. Siblings Vince Golden, Rita Vinlove and Gerald Golden, Sister-in-law Marion Lizar. JoAnne is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

JoAnne was a lover of sweets, especially the Mr. Goodbar. Her eyes would light up whenever she would see that yellow wrapper sticking out of a bag. She also loved a good slice of pie and loved listening and dancing to all kinds of music, earning the title of "Mamacita" after winning a dance contest. The life she lived was one filled with love, faith, family and friends. She will be greatly missed by so many that loved her smile and her gentle ways.

The family requests donations to the Julia Bargman Hope Foundation or the Good Shepherd Catholic Church music department. Visitation: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 11th at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Smithville.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 12th at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Smithville, MO.

Burial: Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.Arrangements, Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville.

Visitation: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday, April 11th at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Smithville.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 12th at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Smithville, MO.

Burial: Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.