Sadden to learn that Mary Jane Rice, a founding member of the Minnesota Chapter of the 99s, has passed away. She was 99 years old and started flying in 1940! I met Mary Jane a few times over the years at various 99s events. A nice lady who will be missed.

Here is a blurb from her obit:

Mary Jane Rice

“Mary Jane’s lifelong passion for flying began as a teenager. She earned her private pilot’s license in 1940 and soon became one of the first women in the state of Minnesota to hold a commercial pilot’s license. As a new pilot, Mary Jane was the only female member of the Hector Flying Club and a charter member of the Minnesota chapter of the Ninety-Nines (International Organization of Women Pilots).

In 1945, Mary Jane and John founded Willmar Air Service, Inc. Together they managed the airport and operated their business, with Mary Jane ultimately logging 63 years in the office. In 1964, Mary Jane’s contributions to local aviation earned her the first “Mrs. Aviation” title from the Minnesota Aviation Trades Association. Later, Mary Jane was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. She ultimately joined the ranks of Amelia Earhart and the Wright brothers with an induction into the International Forest of Friendship, a living memorial dedicated to the world history of aviation, in Atchison, Kansas” (https://www.hafh.org/notices/MaryJane-Rice)