Ella Cecelia Othelia Kidder Rice

Ella Kidder Rice, age 92, of Mankato, formerly of the Minneapolis area died Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Oaklawn, Mankato. Ella's family is very grateful to the staff of Oaklawn for the love and care they gave to her for the four years she lived there.

Funeral, 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 at Osseo United Methodist Church in Osseo, MN. Interment, Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Mpls, MN, Tuesday Jan. 19, 2010. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service Saturday at church. Memorials may be given to Christ the King Lutheran Church, Mankato, Over & Beyond Program and/or Lutheran World Relief. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ella was born November 3, 1917 to Gustav and Christiana (Klondrud) Johnson on the home farm place six miles from Mohall, North Dakota. She was the oldest of her siblings, Gerda, Elmer, and Wilbur. She was baptized on April 14, 1918. Growing up on the farm, Ella preferred being outside doing fieldwork with her father, while her sister preferred being in the kitchen with their mother. And so Ella became a good gardener and Gerda, an excellent cook.

Ella graduated with her sister (even though they were two years apart in age) from Mohall High School with the Class of 1938. Ella then moved to Minneapolis to find employment. As she boarded the train, her father gave her his last $5. Gerda, who first moved to Chicago, joined her in Minneapolis a year or so later. Elmer later went on to college and then Luther Seminary and became an ordained Lutheran pastor. Wilbur eventually took over the farm.

In Minneapolis, Ella first worked as a housekeeper for several families and later was employed by Munsingwear as a seamstress, subsequently assuming a management position. Her sister worked for the same company as well. During this time she met Russell Kidder. Russell served in the Army as a Medic during World War II for 4 " years. On May 25, 1944, before his final year in the Army, and while on leave, the couple married. They had one son, Steve, born to them in 1947.

Ella loved gardening. She also loved to knit and crochet. She once crocheted a beautiful dining room tablecloth that she submitted to the Minnesota State Fair, which, she was told, would have earned a ribbon had it not been disqualified because she had had it professionally blocked. Her sewing skills and entrepreneurial spirit led her to develop her own businesses sewing clothing and draperies and later developing a very successful upholstery business which her husband and sister and sister's husband joined during their retirement years.

Ella was a Lutheran Christian who worshipped weekly throughout her life. She regularly attended her women's monthly Circle Bible studies. She served as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent, on various committees and boards, and on the church council. For several years she managed her church's food stand at the Minnesota State Fair.

In 1986, her husband Russell suffered a major heart attack. He lived in healthcare facilities until his death in 1988. In 1990 Ella married Joseph Rice, whose wife had died. They had dated prior to their first marriages. Ella sold her home in Crystal, MN and moved to Joseph's home in Minot, North Dakota.

On February 23, 2004 Ella suffered a stroke. Following a time of recovery Ella and Joseph were moved to the Good Samaritan Center in Mohall, North Dakota. In June of 2005 Joseph died. In January of 2006 her son moved Ella to Oaklawn Healthcare Center in Mankato. Oaklawn became her home until her death on January 13th.

Ella's family is very grateful to the staff of Oaklawn for the love and care they gave to her for the four years she lived there.

Ella is survived by one son: Steve (Lynn) Kidder of Mankato, MN; two brothers: Elmer (Janet) Johnson of Cropsey, IL and Wilbur (Lois) Johnson of Mohall, ND; four grandchildren: Anne Kidder of Waconia, MN; Amber Kidder of Calgary, Canada; Benjamin Kidder of Boston, MA; and Isaac Kidder of Sherman Oaks, CA; and many nieces and nephews.

Ella was preceded in death by: husbands Russell Kidder and Joseph Rice; a sister, Gerda Kidder; and her parents.

Memorials preferred to Christ the King Lutheran Church (Mankato, MN) "Over and Beyond Program" (which is a fund set up to help people in need within the Mankato Community) and / or Lutheran World Relief.