Toni A. Rice, 76, a lifelong Upson resident, died Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at Mellen Manor Nursing Home in Mellen, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease.      The former Toni Peterson was born Aug. 15, 1933, in Upson, daughter of the late George and Isabelle (Nordell) Peterson, and graduated from Upson High School in 1950. She worked as a nurse's aid at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland from 1973 to 1981, then attended Gogebic Community College in 1982, where she graduated with her degree as a licensed practical nurse. A very dedicated and compassionate nurse, Toni worked as an LPN until 1992.      On Sept. 17, 1955, she was married to Rollie Rice at the First Presbyterian Church in Hurley, by the late Rev. C.L. Harries. Rollie preceded her in death on March 13, 1999.      Toni enjoyed puzzles, singing and spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends. She was a member of the Auxiliary to Iron Co. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580, Hurley.        Toni will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends, and all of those whose hearts she touched with her smile, great personality and compassion.      She is survived by daughters, Judy (Rick) Valenti, Upson, and Carole Rice, Wittenburg; sons, Jerry (Janet) Rice, Upson, and Charles (Linda) Rice, Merrill; 15 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; brothers, Tim (Karen) Peterson, Las Vegas, and Tom Peterson, Hurley; son-in-law, Dennis Lipske, Ironwood, Mich.; sisters-in-law, Carol "Beaver" Peterson and Judy Peterson, both of Upson; and numerous nieces and nephews.      Besides her parents and husband, Toni was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherry Lipske, in 1983; and a brother, Larry Peterso n, in 1981.      Funeral services will be held Friday, April 9, at 11 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with Dr. Neal Schroeter, pastor of Range Community Bible Church in Hurley, officiating.      Committal and interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Upson.      Luncheon will be served at the Do Drop In in Pence immediately upon return from the cemetery.      Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday.      Pallbearers will be Rick, Kelly, and Todd Peterson, Jamie Czerneski, Pat Hanson, and Shawn Rice.       To view Toni's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood.