Jay Rice, 90, of Maddock, ND passed away Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, ND. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 27, 2024 at the North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock with Pastor Cassie Borges officiating.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.  Burial will take place at the North Viking Lutheran Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the North Viking Lutheran Cemetery Fund: 4645 38th St. NE Maddock, ND 58348 or to the charity of donor's choice.

Jay began his life journey on April 12, 1934.  He was born at home to Herman and Anna (Bjerkan) Rice.  He was educated in Maddock, graduating from Benson County Agricultural and Training School.  Later, he attended UND, receiving a BA degree, where he certainly was an avid Fighting Sioux Hockey fan.

In 1954, he married Marjorie Coenen at Sheyenne, ND, a partnership and much more that spanned over 70 years.  They were blessed with a daughter, Barbara, as well as three grandchildren.

Jay enjoyed sharing his knowledge of family and local history.  He learned his geography following four of his brothers' service in WWII.  He recalled his mother telling the younger children to pray nightly for them while overseas, a habit he continued through adulthood, seldom missing a night.  He served two years in the United States Army, finishing his time at Fort Sam Houston, on the Honor Guard.

Upon his return to Maddock, he began a 40 year farming career that was subsidized by hauling water to area farmers, driving school bus, and buying flax straw for Olin Corp.  After retirement he delivered MCI busses throughout the US and Canada.

Jay was a lifetime member of North Viking, having been baptized and confirmed there.  He served on several local boards in addition to being a trustee and deacon at North Viking.  He was also a Ham radio operator and loved to rescue old and odd things.

Jay is survived by his wife, Marjorie; daughter, Barbara (Larry) Taylor; three grandchildren, Amy (Brad) Frericks, Robert (Abby) Taylor and Laura (Anton) Anderson; six great-grandchildren and four special nieces and nephews, Harley (Dude) Rice, Ross Burgess, Diane Smith and Valerie Valentine; sisters-in-law, Dixie Coenen, Darlene Palmer, Carol Pewe, Inez Coenen; brothers-in-law, Jackie Coenen and Russell Coenen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Harley, Willard, Wallace, John, Gerald, David and Gene; as well as his sisters, Evelyn, Jewell, Lucille, Helen, Alice, Patricia, Blanche and Katherine; parents-in-law, Henry (Clara) Coenen; brothers-in-law, Gerard (Ramona) Allmaras, Gene Coenen, Barry Palmer, and Larry Pewe; sister-in-law, Ruthie Coenen.