Aileen Rice

AILEEN RICE...

On July 13, 1920, Aileen Nelson Rice joined the family of John K. and Anna (Johnson) Nelson and their sons, Ronald and Merwin. She was the first daughter and a constant help to her mother, but there was no time for play. As the oldest girl she was pressed into performing the many kitchen and household tasks required by the family as it increased from three to ten. Fern, Le Roy, Viola, George, Kaye, Faith and Cliff each added to the work of keeping the family going. Many jobs were handed over to Aileen. She graduated from the eighth grade and wanted to go to high school. She couldn’t, because she was needed at home and the money wasn’t there. Finally, four years after eighth grade graduation on Aug. 12, 1934, and after working at different household jobs, she became a freshman in the Stillwater HS and graduated May 31, 1940, at age 20. High school counselors encouraged her to go to college. In the fall of 1941, with $300 loaned to her by an aunt, she enrolled at Winona State University planning to major in history. She was shunted into elementary education because the University “was saving all the history opening for future coaches.” She graduated two years later with teaching certificate that qualified her to teach elementary school. Her first job was at Lyle, MN, and to pay back the $300 loan. Later she taught at Sandstone, Stillwater, Cloquet, and Winona. She attended summer school every year until August 4, 1951, when she received her Bachelor of Science degree. Along the way she met Robert Rice, a lawyer practicing at Pipestone, MN. They married on Feb. 18, 1956 and had two children, Mary D. Rice and John Rice. She died at River View Manor, January 26, 2013, at the age of 92 years, six months and 13 days.

Aileen wan an active, contributing member of the community. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, taught Sunday school and week-day release time religion classes. She served as President of the church’s women’s association, as well as an elder and deacon. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, American Legion Auxiliary and the Garden Club. In the mid-1970s, she managed the political campaign for a candidate running for the state legislature. She delivered Meals on Wheels for more than five years. At home, she enjoyed gardening and liked to read widely – Russian literature was her favorite subject. She loved cats. Her years at Riverview Manor were brightened by the companionship of Kady, a lovely longhaired cat.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Robert Rice of Flandreau; her children, John Rice of Brookings, and Mary D. Rice (Alan K. Gaynor) of Boston; her sister, Fern Secrest of Hudson, WI; and her brother, Clifford Nelson (Marge) of Stillwater. She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings Ronald, Merwin, George and LeRoy Nelson; Viola Nelson, Kay Kraft and Faith Erfourth.