A. Genevieve "Gotty" Hice died Sept. 10, 2012. She was 97.
She was born to William and Inez (Weaver) Weyrauch at their ranch home near Austin on Jan. 26, 1915. At two months old she was baptized in the Austin Methodist Church and became a confirmed member at age 8. She graduated from Fairview School in 1929 and Delta High School in 1933. She earned her bachelor of arts degree with honors from the University of Denver in 1937. Mrs. Hice was a member of Sigma Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Gamma Mu and Psi Chi.
After graduating from college, she taught school in Paonia for three years before marrying William Hice on Oct. 19, 1940, in Austin. The couple lived in Colorado Springs where she was employed by the Alexander Film Company.
After World War II and her husband's discharge from the U.S. Army, they returned to the Austin ranch, raising their children and continuing the family fruit business. She enjoyed spending time with her family at their cabin on Grand Mesa, playing cards, board games, boating, fishing, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling and studying wildflowers.
Mrs. Hice taught for 23 years in Cedaredge and Paonia schools and estimated that she'd taught nearly 1,000 first grade children how to read.
After retiring in 1978 she continued to teach children and adults to read through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She was also a member of the Colorado and the Delta County Retired School Employee Associations, president and 40+ year member of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Mrs. Hice was an active member of Austin Methodist and Delta United Methodist churches, serving as president of the Delta unit and district officer of United Methodist Women. She was a member of PEO Chapter BK, a 58-year member of Eastern Star Garnet Chapter 39, a charter member of the Surface Creek Valley Republican Women's Club and the vice chairman of the Delta County Republican Central Committee. She served on the board of directors of Delta County Cooperative Telephone Company and was a life member of Pioneer Town in Cedaredge and the Delta Historical Society.
Mrs. Hice enjoyed celebrating holidays and birthdays, traveling, playing bridge, the piano, flute and chancel chimes and tending to her rose garden.
She is survived by one son, Edward and his wife Mariela Hice; two daughters, Carolyn Aust and Marilee King and her husband Neil; four grandchildren, Marilee Lewis and her husband Brandon, Alyson Etchart and her husband Michael, Judson King, and Jennifer Knopp and her husband John; two great-grandsons, Alexander and Andrew Etchart; one niece; two nephews; and numerous great-nephews, nieces and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Oct. 2, 1981; an adopted brother; and a nephew.
Contributions may be made to Talking Book Library, 180 Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80226; Delta United Methodist Church, 477 Meeker St., Delta, CO 81416 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81506.
Interment will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Cory Cemetery. A celebration of life begins at 11 a.m. at the Delta United Methodist church, 477 Meeker.
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