Allen E. Rice

Allen E. “Al” Rice, 82, Moorhead, MN, died on Friday, December 25, 2015 in Bethany Nursing Home on University, Fargo, ND due to complications of Myasthenia Gravis. The family feels they received a great Christmas present knowing that their husband/father was taken home to be with our Savior on Christmas Day.
Al was born on December 4, 1933, in Hibbing, MN, to Arthur and Anna Hermanson Rice. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hibbing and graduated from Hibbing High School. He attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where he met his wife, Leah Rusch. They were married on June 7, 1958 in Shakopee, MN. He graduated from St. Olaf and taught and coached in Franklin and Fairfax, MN, and West Fargo, ND. Al obtained his Master’s degree at Moorhead State College and joined the faculty at Concordia College in Moorhead in 1968, where he taught and coached hockey, baseball and football. He and Leah moved to Moorhead in 1970 where they have lived since. He retired in 1997.
Al loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed many years at Sand Point on Leech Lake, his base when out recruiting athletes from around the state. He was an active member of the Helping Hands group at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead, and helped with the grounds keeping after the new church was built.
Al was inducted into the athletic halls of fame at Hibbing High School, St. Olaf College and Concordia College.
He is survived by his wife Leah, Moorhead, MN; daughters Becky Charles Sullivan, Billings, MT and Mary Bryce Shercliffe, Alexandria, MN; son Mark Sayra Rice, Moorhead, MN; five grandchildren Lucas, Maddie, Ella, Meg and Rhett; two step-grandchildren Hannah and Connor; sister-in-law Patsy Rice, Henderson, NV. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Myrle, and Curtis and Curtis’s wife Rochelle.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Helping Hands at Good Shepherd, Concordia Athletics, or the charity of your choice.
Memorial Gathering: Wednesday, December 30, 2015, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead.
Memorial Service: Thursday, December 31, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. in the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
Final Resting Place: The Columbarium at Good Shepherd.