Duane-Rice-Obituary

Photo courtesy of West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center - West Fargo

Duane R. Rice

Tower City, North Dakota

Nov 26, 1923 – Apr 26, 2015 (Age 91)

About

BORN
November 26, 1923
DIED
April 26, 2015
AGE
91
LOCATION
Tower City, North Dakota

Obituary

Send Flowers

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center - West Fargo Obituary

Duane R. Rice, 91, St. Anthony, MN, formerly of Tower City and Fargo, ND, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2015, in the St. Anthony Health Center. Duane was born November 26, 1923, in Tower City, ND, to Clifford L. and Hazel (Matteson) Rice. Duane attended school at Tower City, graduating in 1941. He went on to attend North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU) from 1941 through 1943. Duane entered the U.S. Navy in September 1943, and served in active duty until November 1945. He achieved the rank of Ensign, and received his pilot's wings as a naval aviator. Duane returned to NDAC (NDSU) in 1946, completing his degree in mechanical engineering. In 1947, Duane returned to Tower City and went into business with his father and brother (Jack), running the Rice Lumber Company, and his beloved family farm near Tower City. Duane married the love of his life, Jeanne Johnson, on July 17, 1945, in Buffalo, ND. They resided in Tower City from 1947 to 2002, where they raised three children, Sally, Steven, and Bradley. They moved to Fargo, ND, in 2002, living there until April 2015, when they moved to St. Anthony, MN. They had celebrated 69 years of marriage. Duane was a very talented musician, playing piano in many orchestras throughout his life. His music was very special to him, and to anyone who heard him play. Duane also loved sports, but most especially his St. Louis Cardinals and his Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed attending the many sporting events his children and grandchildren participated in. Duane's family was the center of his life. He loved nothing more than spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, making many trips to visit them throughout the years. Duane is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his daughter Sally (Anz) Ranalli of Oxford, NJ; his sons, Steven, of Lead, SD, and Bradley (Georgia) of St. Anthony, MN; 8 grandchildren, Gianna (Chris) DeHart, Marcus (Hope) Ranalli, Eric (Jessica) Rice, Dustin (Heather) Rice, Jeremy (Rachel) Rice, Joel (Jolene) Rice, Laura Rice, and Lana Rice; and 8 great-grandchildren, Hennessy, Jackson, and Harper Rice, Avery and Morgan DeHart, Keaton and Gracie Rice, and Aria Rice. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack, and by his daughter-in-law Kathy (Steve) Rice. Funeral: 1:00 PM Saturday, May 2, 2015 at West Funeral Home Chapel in West Fargo. Visitation: Saturday from noon until the time of service in the funeral home. Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City, ND

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?