Nancy Ellen Rice

Nancy Ellen Rice, age 62, of Glendale, WI, passed from this life surrounded by family and friends on December 3rd. She was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, colleague, educator, mentor, advocate, and public servant. Preceded in death by her father, Charles E. Rice, and mother, Alice S. Rice. She is survived by her son, Dylan Rice; siblings: Barbara Van Hauer (Chris) of Eden Prairie, MN, Stephen Rice (Nancy), of Minnetonka, MN, Mary Rice (Don Davies) of Zimmerman, MN, Eileen Rice (Rebecca Ames) of Edina, MN, and Lisa Rice of Bloomington, MN; nephews: JP VanHauer (Kristina), Nick Rice (Brytten), Eric Rice, and Andrew VanHauer; niece, Stephanie Hagen (Erik); eight grandnieces and grandnephews; and the family and extended family of godparents, MaryAnn and Drew Fitzgerald, and Ryan Fitzgerald.

Nancy was born in Decatur, Alabama, and was raised in St. Louis, MO, and Minneapolis, MN. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Barry University in Miami, Florida in 1986, her master’s degree from Arizona State University in 1989, and her Ph.D. from Syracuse University in 2000. Nancy leaves behind a legacy as an educator around the globe. She started her student teaching in Miami, FL, then spent her career as an educator in Phoenix, AZ, Honolulu, Hawaii, Kyoto, Japan, Italy, Budapest, Hungary, and Milwaukee, WI. Her advocacy for underserved populations drove and transcended her career. Inclusive education was her life’s work. She specialized in students with disabilities, teaching educators, and qualitative research. Her 24-year career at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee grew over the years. She was an instructor, assistant professor, professor, co-chair, and department chair. In 2017, it was with great honor that Nancy received a Fulbright Scholarship, demonstrating her leadership and dedication to education. Nancy was devoted to planting seeds with future educators to make learning more accessible and equitable.

Dylan, Nancy’s son, was the love of her life. Nancy adopted Dylan at the age of six months as a single parent. Together, Nancy and Dylan created a strong network of families and friends through church, schools, Scouts, sports, and their neighborhood. These families share in grieving Nancy’s passing. Her legacy continues through Dylan in these communities.

Nancy created and cultivated a rich spiritual life. She wrote a daily gratitude list. She served her family and friends with quiet generosity. She showed humility, love, and compassion for others, especially at life’s toughest moments.

Nancy’s family is most appreciative of the very competent and loving care provided by the nurses, Dr. E, and chaplains to Nancy in the Intensive Care Unit at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Ozaukee, WI.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, at United Methodist Church, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 at 11:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 12:00 noon. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to ABCD in Glendale, WI (After Breast Cancer Diagnosis), The American Lung Association, or The Alzheimer’s Association. The service will be available for remote viewing via live stream at umcwfb.org.