Margie Ann (Rice) Andersen

Margie Ann Andersen, 90, of Bemidji passed away peacefully Thursday, May 22, 2025 at GoldPine Assisted Living, surrounded by her family. 

Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Aardahl Lutheran Church, Bemidji. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji and one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in Aardahl Lutheran Cemetery.

Margie was born September 17, 1934 in Pinecreek, MN to Oliver and Inga (Thingelstad) Rice, the seventh of ten children. Margie married Leonard (Curt) Welch in 1955 and they had two children, daughter Wendy and son, Todd. Margie married Richard (Dick) Andersen January 15, 1990. Margie brought her tireless work ethic and skilled hands to a variety of professions including elevator operator, meat department manager, fork-lift operator, and pizza restaurant owner- each role reflecting  her dedication to providing for her family. Beyond her career, she had a passion for sewing, painting, and participating in church activities. She travelled all over the state to sell her appliqued sweatshirts at craft fairs making many friends along the way.  

With encouragement from her family, Margie obtained her GED in 2008 at the age of 73. 

After their retirement from Dave’s Pizza in 1994, Margie and Dick enjoyed camping and international travel with their close friends from church. She enjoyed getting together with her friends for lively games of Catch Phrase. In 2023, Margie moved to Goldpine Assisted Living where she was cared for by compassionate staff. 

Margie is survived by her husband, Richard Andersen, children Wendy Otness, Todd Welch, grandchildren Maija Otness, Taylor (Victoria) Otness, Marissa Welch. Also step-daughter Sheri (Scott) Vrieze, their children Hunter (MacKinzy) Minske, Morgan (Jeremy) Schwanz, Katie (Tom) Brekke, Jacob (Jessica) Vrieze, sisters Lorraine Dye, Kathleen (Hartley) Dahl, brother Dwight (Betty) Rice and sister-in-law Gayle Rice, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and 6 great-grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Inga, brothers Knute, Roy and Stanley Rice, sisters Irene Ask, Delphine Ode, Evelyn Wold, sister-in-law Donna Rice, brother-in-law Francis Ask, and nieces Melanie (Ask) Raasch and Diane (Ode) Olson. 

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