“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high with wings like eagles.”
Marian Joyce Rice, our family rock and matriarch, left this world on Oct. 15, 2024, to join our Lord and Savior. She is soaring with the angels now.
Marian was born on Oct. 4, 1936, to Theodore and Alma Handeland, the 11th of 12 children and the first to be born in a hospital, in Minot, N.D. Growing up on the family farm in rural Lansford, N.D., cultivated her love for good home cooking (in large portions), family fun, animals and the great outdoors. She thought of herself as a tomboy in those early years and recalled the fun she would have playing outside with her older brothers and jumping out of the hayloft.
Marian was a cheerleader for Lansford High and, while participating in a Kenmare basketball tournament, she first laid eyes on her future husband, Leonard (Len) O. Rice. Not long after, Marian met Len at the St. Patrick’s Day dance in 1954. He asked her to dance the last dance of the night, and the rest is history. Marian graduated as valedictorian that spring, and Leonard and Marian were married on Nov. 21, 1954. Shortly after their wedding, they made their home in Minot, N.D., where they raised their four children. This November would have marked their 70th wedding anniversary.
Marian was a true servant of God, using her talents to serve her church, family and friends. She had a love for music — singing in the Cathedral Choir at First Lutheran Church for 30 years, playing the tuba in high school, teaching herself to play the piano or dancing to the music with Len. She was an excellent cook and over the years baked hundreds of pies for their church booth at the North Dakota State Fair. She served as a scout leader and school room mother for her children, creating many innovative activities for the groups. Marian enjoyed playing couples tennis, bowling, skiing and travel. They often took the family on cross-country road trips and had the opportunity to do some international traveling, meeting relatives in Norway and exploring Europe.
Marian had a strong desire to live in the mountains, and that desire was fulfilled in 1996, when they bought a ranch outside of Pagosa Springs, Colo. They joined the Pagosa Bible Church and became active in their church and ranch community. She lived her last 28 years in an environment she truly loved.
Marian will be greatly missed in this world, but we rejoice in knowing she is with her Savior in Heaven.
Marian is survived by her husband of 70 years, Leonard O. Rice; children, Cindee Rice, Susan Schneider (Steve), Jon T. Rice (Sherry) and Deborah Rice; her brothers, Larry and Donald Handeland; sisters-in-law, Carol LeTourneau, Betty Petterson (Gary), Linda Girard; and her 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Alma (Weiss) Handeland; six sisters, Helen Helming, Elvira Anderson, Hazel Pendley, Gladys Abernathy, Erma Vlach, Doris Huddleston; and three of her brothers — Melvin, Theodore (Ted) and Lyle Handeland.
A memorial celebration for Marian will be held at the Pagosa Bible Church, Pagosa Springs, Colo., on Nov. 23 at 4 in the afternoon. A second memorial service in Minot, N.D., is planned for early spring 2025.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pagosa Bible Church, your own church or planting a tree in her memory.
