Rudolph Rudy Terrance Rice, 78
From the arms of his family and his earthly angels at Renaissance Assisted Living and Frontier Hospice, “to the waiting arms of his heavenly angels” Rudy left us to reside in his forever home on Oct. 17, 2017, at 8:50 p.m., with family by his side.
Rudolph “Rudy” T. Rice was born Aug. 21, 1939, at Powers Lake, North Dakota, the only son of Rudolph Rice and Gudrun (Troen) Rice and as fate would have it — in the middle of a family of nine sisters. The family, with the exception of sisters who stayed in North Dakota, moved to Kalispell in 1948 where he lived on the family farm on Whitefish Stage Road and graduated from Whitefish High School in the Class of 1957. Upon graduation, Rudy joined the Armed Services and was stationed in Germany. He returned home to help with the farm upon the death of their mother.
Rudy’s life and career as a heavy equipment operator led him to work on the Alaska pipeline where he had many adventures, including a run in with a Kodiak bear that took over the cab of his heavy equipment for the night, breaking out the windows, to enjoy cookies left behind when the crew left for the evening and waited to greet him the next morning. After returning to Montana, Rudy worked heavy equipment in the Northwest, including the Libby Dam, logging operations, construction projects, which included Glacier Village Greens among many other projects.
Rudy’s zest for life included lots of skiing and other activities. His interests in skiing included getting his family involved in skiing on Big Mountain as much as possible. After his retirement, his season ski pass indicated he had been skiing on Big Mountain more than 60 times in one season. His other interests included skydiving, water skiing, much dancing, playing guitar, wind surfing, lots of crossword puzzles and it was rumored that he was “one helluva poker player.” Rudy was married to Janice Gregg at the family farm, Nov. 8, 1969. They were blessed with their only child, Teri Eileen (Rice) Arnst on Sept. 13, 1970.
Rudy met Sue Simonson at the Eagles in May of 2002 and they made a home together until Rudy entered assisted living May of 2012, and Sue was with him at his passing. Rudy spent the last two years at Renaissance Assisted living under their loving care as he suffered from Alzheimer’s.
Rudy was preceded in death by his father Rudolph Rice and mother Gudrun Rice, his grandson Logan Arnst, Janice (Gregg) Rice, and his sisters Irene Enger, Audrey Elsbernd, Lorraine Lidstrom and Helen Miscampbell.
He is survived by his loving daughter, Teri Arnst; his beloved partner, Sue Simonson; sisters, Ruby Enger and husband Jerome of White Earth, North Dakota, Ina Herriges of Kalispell, Janet Lane and John Lane of Somerset, Kentucky, Geri Solum and Alan Solum of Somers, and Connie Mitchell and Dan Mitchell of Kalispell; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. A reception will follow at the Kalispell Eagles Club at 37 First Street West, Kalispell in the basement for all to attend and exchange memories of Rudy’s life.
Memorials may be made in Rudy’s name to Frontier Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association-Montana Chapter, or any charity of your choice.
Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.