Phyllis E Rice, December 17, 1918 — January 09, 2019

Phyllis’ Obituary Phyllis Evelyn Rice (Nee Marsh) was born in Enderlin, ND on December 17, 1918. Later, she moved to Fremont, OH, and attended Fremont Ross High School. She met Fred Rice in 1934 and on December 27, 1941 they married before he went off to WW II.

1935, her first job was with Montgomery Ward in Fremont. She worked for Horn’s Flower shop in 1937 and for the Fremont News Messenger as a writer, while Fred was attending Marquette University, playing Football and later serving in the Pacific. In 1944, she gave birth to son Eric Edward.

Upon Fred’s return from the war, the family moved to Milwaukee, WI. Phyllis gave birth to daughter Roseanne in 1949 and Fred took on coaching at Marquette University. In 1952, the family moved to Hamilton, NY, where Fred coached at Colgate University.

In 1959, the family, moved back to Milwaukee, where Fred coached at Marquette University. The family moved into a 100-year old field stone farmhouse across from Brown Deer High school. In 1961, Fred became Athletic Director and Football coach at Nicolet High School.

Phyllis worked at Allen Pruess Flowers in 1962, worked at Fox’s Floral, 1963, and in 1972 began working at Manders Shorewood Florist. In 2001, she retired from Shorewood Florist at the age of 81. Phyllis was active in the Brown Deer Historical Society; the Fremont Junior Women’s Club; the Reformed Church; the Rusty Knights Nicolet organization for retired teachers; President of Woman’s Guild Baptist Church in Hamilton, NY; member of four bridge clubs in Hamilton, NY; and was a den mother for the Cub Scouts.

She enjoyed painting watercolors, sewing, knitting, gardening, cooking, baking and browsing antique shops and garage sales. She also was a booster for athletics at Nicolet High School, Brown Deer High School, Middleton High School, UW-Madison Football, and Northwestern University Football, as she supported husband Fred, son Eric, daughter Roseanne, and Grandchildren, Scott, Matt, Kelley, and Erin in their activities. Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Roseanne Rice, daughter-in-law Linda Rice and Grandchildren, Scott Rice, Matt Rice (Jennifer), Kelley Rice (Brian Fons) and Great Grandchildren Michael and Olivia.

Private Services will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin.

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