Only a few in life leave an enduring and positive impact --- Lesa Kay (Nelson) Bice was such a person. Lesa was born June 30, 1960 in Amarillo , Texas to Samuel Edward Nelson (deceased) and Wilma Lou Nelson. Lesa had three siblings: Paul Nelson, deceased; Lou Ann (Nelson) Evans and Gail (Nelson) Roush, all from Amarillo. Through her marriage to Mike Bice she had a step-son, Brian Bice, wife Maggie & daughter of San Francisco, California and a number of wonderful nieces and nephews.
On October 5,1996 Lesa & Mike were married. After tragically losing his first wife Jeanie, he found healing, life purpose and lasting unconditional love through Lesa. Lesa found affirmation, acceptance and lasting love through Mike, who also showed her a world of adventure that she had only dreamed of.
Lesa had an unyielding love for the outdoors. She and Mike spent several years camping and hiking, seeking out the natural beauty found within our nation's borders. Later as unforeseen circumstances kept them closer to home she continued to be awed by nature right in her backyard and would eagerly text about her early morning encounters with the deer and hummingbirds who came up to their property, or be excited over her hibiscus bursting out in vivid color.
Hunting with Mike was a favorite pastime. And again, when circumstances curtailed hunting trips, she turned to shooting related sports. She thoroughly enjoyed excursions to the shooting range.
Lesa and Mike could be found on the golf course several mornings a week. She was just as enthusiastic playing 9 holes as she was 18. Lesa cycled on the Riverside Trail multiple days a week.
Flying was Lesa's passion. She learned to fly due to early discussions with her dad about the two of them taking lessons. Unfortunately, her dad passed away before this dream could be realized, but Lesa went on to attain her private pilot's rating in her early 20's.
She later completed her flight training by earning her instructor rating as a Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI). Lesa had the patience to teach her husband flying, enabling him to attain his Private Pilot rating.
In their Cessna 182A the two of them flew on adventures, visiting both east coast and west coast as well as the Rockies.
Mike and Lesa were truly one unit. Lesa's home was wherever Mike was and she was devoted to him and caring for him. When Mike began having physical struggles, she never complained about giving up traveling or the physically challenging pastimes such as hiking and hunting. As long as she was with Mike, she was content and happy. She greatly enjoyed turning their newly built house into a warm, comfortable and inviting home.
As a friend, no one could ask for one better than Lesa. She had many gifts: she was an encourager - cheering with you when a goal was met - no matter how small. She delighted in hearing about your life goings on and truly listened and responded, without rushing in to provide answers or advice. She enjoyed sharing a good laugh - yet she didn't know what it meant to be sarcastic in her humor, and she never laughed at someone's expense. Lesa was sacrificial. She willingly gave of her time, whether it was to sit with a loved one who was in her last stages of life on earth, or to drive an older person halfway across the country so he could be with his family. Lesa joyfully did whatever was needed of her.
She also loved God and Jesus and had been getting to know her Creator and Savior on a more personal level. Over the past year she had learned just how powerful prayer is and that God truly listens and answers our pleas. Tragically her long term battle with alcohol addiction overtook and engulfed her mind in a brief moment of time so completely that she was unable to reach the sliver of clarity needed to pull herself back into reality and into the truth of the deep love of her God and her people.
Lesa, we are feeling your absence on this earth and in our lives deeply. You brought us such great joy! For those of us blessed to have had you in our lives, even if only for a brief moment, we are forever better for it. We will cherish our memories we made with you and hold them close to our hearts. You left too soon, sweet lady.

A Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 18, 2025, at Llano Cemetery, 2900 S. Hayes, Amarillo, TX 79103.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to:
Hillsdale College
For: Lesa Bice Independence Scholarship
33 E. College St., Hillsdale, MI, 49242