ARTHUR J. RICE

Arthur J. Rice, 108 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Art will be held on Monday, April 27, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake, ND with Reverend Russell Pollack officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, rural Minnewaukan, ND. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday one hour prior to the funeral service. Arthur Jennings Rice, oldest of seven children born to Gilbert and Hannah (Anderson) Rice, was born on April 13, 1907 on the family farm, rural Esmond, ND. He was reared on the family farm and attended the Esmond Township School. He farmed with his parents and took over the family farm at age 18 when his Father passed away. He also took on the responsibility of helping his mother raise his younger siblings. Arthur was united in marriage to his beloved Irene Anderson on October 10, 1943 at Cando Lutheran Church. They established their home on the farm where they lived, farmed and ranched side by side and raised their two sons through the years. Art was never idle and for several years he and Irene went to Arizona to help care for Irene’s parents, but they also found employment. Art worked at the Palomino Inn and the Desert Inn in Arizona. But Art was a true steward of the land and kept his hand in farming for many years and also helped his son, LeRoy as an on-site manager of apartment buildings in Devils Lake. When asked about retirement, Art said he officially retired at age 100. In August of 2013, Art moved to the Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake. Art was always active in the community and his church. He continued membership in Trinity Lutheran Church of Esmond his entire life. Art served on the Esmond School Board for 36 years as a clerk and treasurer and for his exemplary service he received an Honorary High School diploma. He faithfully served on the Rural Telephone Board, the Esmond Equity Elevator Board, Esmond Township Board, the Isabel Farmers Union Board and was president of the PTA. He enjoyed membership in the Odd Fellows for over 65 years and also the Sons of Norway. Art was first a steward of the land and enjoyed the great outdoors and a day of fishing was always a good time. He was part of each step of raising the livestock or produce to processing it and to eventually consuming the finished product. In later years, Art had enjoyed woodworking and other craft projects. Art lived each decade of his life as a gentle, kind, faith filled and devoted husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend. We cannot imagine our lives without him, and we place him back in God’s loving arms. Art is survived by his sons LeRoy Rice and his wife, Diane of Devils Lake and Arthur Lee Rice and his wife Cynthia of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren Kathryn (John) Clemenson, Todd (Cheri) Rice and Susan (Gary) Stockert and Rachel Rice; great grandchildren Brianna and Ben Clemenson, Chase, Leah and Cole Stockert and Serenity Kerznann; nieces Karen Verke and Linda Black; nephews Kevin Rice and Dale Rice; many great nieces and great nephews. Preceded by his wife, Irene on April 7, 2000; siblings Alta Rice, Viola Olson, Edwin Rice, Gilma Fors, Walter Rice and Hilmer Rice. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Edward Woyen, Ron Faleide, Erling Karlsbratten, Vern Erck, Darwin Brokke and Bud Eckstrom. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Wayne Jensen, Sylvester Hoffner, Members of the Odd Fellows and Members of the Sons of Norway. Music will be provided by the GOSPALS-Irving Thompson, Dennis Lysne, Garland Sagen, Jim Beatty, Bob Nelson and Jim Thompson, vocalist Roger Hill and pianist Gary Stockert. A special tribute to Art will be given by his granddaughter Susan Stockert.