William Arden Rice

Memorial service for William Rice, age 85, will be held on Friday, September 12th at 1 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Tim Bauer officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at a later date. Donations to Alzheimers Society in lieu of flowers. William Arden “Bill” Rice, formerly of Milaca and St. Cloud, was born November 6, 1928 in Holloway, Minnesota to Millard and Gladys Rice. Bill died on September 6, 2014 at Folkstone in Wayzata, MN as the result of a short battle with cancer. The oldest of nine children, Bill worked on the family farm, while attending a one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Murdoch High School with the class of 1946. After graduation, he remained on the family homestead for the next four years while working alongside his father and siblings. In 1950, he enlisted and served with the 136th National Guard Infantry (Benson, MN) in the Korean conflict. His first two years were spent in Alabama, followed by service in the Minnesota National Guard for the duration of his enlistment. In June of 1951, he married his childhood sweetheart Betty Mae (Haugen), and over the years they were blessed with four children. Once honorably discharged from the military, Bill continued his education in Minneapolis, first at Dunwoody Institute, and then at the University of Minnesota becoming a professional engineer. Bill started his career working first for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and then as a county engineer for both Mille Lacs and Stearns Counties. Bill’s proudest professional accomplishment was the planning and construction of the Rice Bridge in Sartell, MN. Upon retiring, Bill consulted on various projects for Bauerly Brothers for ten years. Bill and Betty enjoyed spending their retirement years in Sun City, Arizona during the winter months, and Minnesota during the summer. They were blessed with the company of family and good friends no matter where they lived. Bill was a very traditional man. He was active in the Sons of Norway, and loved the Norwegian traditions and food, as well as the traditions of the church he served so humbly. He was always quick with a smile, and a hug for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he so adored. He delighted in sharing his love of fishing, hunting, and golfing with his own children, and later, his grandchildren. Bill will be best remembered for his great love of family and friends, as well as his zest for life and great faith. He was never one to sit idly by, but instead always made time to help those in need. He spent countless hours in service at Trinity Lutheran (Milaca, MN), Bethlehem Lutheran (St. Cloud, MN) and the Sun City Lutheran Thrift Store. In recent years, Bill could always be found by Betty’s side, caring for her needs. Bill is survived by his wife Betty, daughter Deann, and sons: Craig (Maureen McCleary), John (Carol Ness, M.D.) and James (Patricia), as well as his six beloved grandchildren: Linnea (Matt), Renee, Jessica, Erin (Jacob Pinch), William, and Johannes, in addition to two great-grandaughters: Lillian and Quinn Epsky, brothers Alan (Marcia)Rice, Darrel (Betty) Rice, Linda (Dick) Walsh, Darlene (Julius) Carstens, and brother and sister-in law, Roger (Mariel) Haugen as well as countless nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both parents and grandparents as well as siblings: Anna Marie, Margery, Vernae, and Roger.