Marion Engelstad Rice, 90, of Malvern passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 20, 2021 following a brief illness. Born in Aneta, North Dakota, she was the daughter of the late Robert C. and Marthilda (Huso) Engelstad. She was the loving wife of the late Harmon Franklin Rice, with whom she shared 46 years of marriage after meeting as members of a church choir in Chicago, IL.
Marion was a graduate of Aneta Public Schools, Class of 1948. Following high school Marion received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, Class of 1950. While at St Olaf, Marion was a member of the traveling choir. She went on to pursue a career as a Dietician for Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois after serving an internship in Portland, Oregon.
A lifelong Lutheran, Marion joined St. John’s Lutheran Church in Phoenixville, PA where she was an active choir member for over 60 years. Other activities included gardening, cooking and playing tennis. She volunteered for the Red Cross as an aide at blood drives in the Chester County, PA area.
Marion is survived by her two sons; Paul F. Rice, husband of Sarah S. Rice, of Malvern, Mark H. Rice, husband of Jennifer Matthews Rice, of Schwenksville, her brother; Robert C. Engelstad, husband of Dolores, of Wayzata, MN, her five grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Harmon Franklin Rice, she is preceded in death by her sister, June Grundahl, wife of Dr. A.T. Grundahl, and her brother Norton C. Engelstad, husband of Ruth Engelstad.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday June 5th, 2021 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Phoenixville, PA. Inurnment will immediately follow the service in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Marion’s name to St. John’s Lutheran Church or St. Olaf College.