Mary Jo (Mitzi) Rice Mitzi Rice, age 68, passed away in her sleep on Nov. 25, 2023, in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she and her husband, Dixon, spent Thanksgiving with their oldest son, Devin. She was born on Jan. 23, 1955, in Butte, Montana, the only child of Joseph and Mary Leary. She grew up in Butte, attending Catholic grade schools and graduating from Butte Central High. She then went on to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Montana State University in Bozeman. When she searched for a high school teaching position, the only opening for a business teacher in the entire state of Montana was at Columbia Falls High School, where she was hired and taught for nearly 30 years, eventually becoming department chair. One of her best friends from college, Andy Rice, introduced her to his older brother in Moose’s Saloon. On June 25, 1983, she married Dixon Rice, and they made their home in Kalispell. Mitzi belonged to Risen Christ Catholic Church in Evergreen and was active in a number of Flathead Valley nonprofit groups. About 25 years ago, she became owner of Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and prided herself on assembling a caring and competent staff. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease nearly 15 years ago and fought hard against that progressive and incurable disease, getting involved in exercise and Tai Chi classes and Rock Steady Boxing workouts. In recent years, Dixon became her full-time caregiver, so she was able to stay at home. Mitzi is survived by her husband, Dixon, at the family home; two daughters, Shannon Wilkinson and her husband Troy in Las Vegas, NV, and Megan Hollenkamp and her husband Logan in Eagan, MN; two sons, Devin Rice and his partner Becca in Fort Collins, CO, and Jared Rice in Minneapolis MN; grandchildren Mackenzie, Kayleigh and Abigail Wilkinson in Las Vegas, and Calvin, Rose and Olive Hollenkamp in Eagan; and multitudes of cousins, friends and former students. Visitation and viewing took place at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell, followed by a Rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Evergreen, with Fr. Stanislaw Rog officiating. Burial followed at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Mitzi loved children and so the family encourages contributions in her memory to an educational or youth charity of your choice. time with good friends there and having a few drinks at his favorite Hardin place, 4 Aces. Don was preceded in death by brothers, Dewane, James and Paul, and his brother-in-law Brent Anderson. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Newman-Hoffman; sons, Eric (Lisa) and Christopher; stepson, Judsen; sister, Carolyn Anderson; sisters-in-law, Beverly and Vicky Hoffman; grandchildren, Kari, Nickolis, and Stephen Hoffman; great-grandchildren, Braylenn, Stella, Nixon and Cora Hoffman; nieces, Lisa, Kirsten, Michelle, and Sherry; nephew, Brandon; and many cousins. Services are being planned for the spring of 2024 in Colorado. Directors Digest | 19
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