Ruth Rice Obituary

Rice
Ruth Evangeline
(Kulp) Rice
January 9, 1937
February 5, 2026

Ruth Evangeline (Kulp) Rice passed away at 89 years of age on the morning of 5 February 2026 after suffering a cerebral aneurism the previous evening. Ruth was born to Harvey B. Kulp and Katherine Mae (Hallman) Kulp in Kenilworth, Pennsylvania on 9 January 1937.
In her early adult years, Ruth served as a team leader for Woolworth Corporation setting up new stores through the Indiana to Pennsylvania region. She then served as executive secretary to the president of the Missionary Church Association in Fort Wayne, Indiana. That position introduced her to her future husband who was enrolled in Fort Wayne Bible College, the educational partner of the church organization.
Ruth married Phillip L. Rice on 3 September 1966 in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. They were married by Ruth's father with assistance from Phillip's father who was also a pastor in the Missionary Church.
The couple spent two years in Fort Collins while Phillip completed his doctorate at Colorado State University. Ruth took a clerical job at Heath Engineering during that time to help with living expenses. This exemplified how their marriage was a team effort through their nearly 60 year life together.
When Phillip joined the faculty at Minnesota State University - Moorhead in 1974, and after the children became more self-reliant, Ruth resumed university studies at MSU-M completing her Bachelor's degree and then her Master's degree in Business Education. Immediately upon completion of that degree, the Business Education faculty appointed her to teach computer applications primarily Microsoft Office. When her department closed down two years later, she moved to Concordia College joining the faculty of the Mathematics Computer Science Department where she continued for 10 years teaching Microsoft Office. She retired in 2002, and in 2003, returned with Phillip to Colorado to enjoy their retirement years.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey B. and Katherine Kulp, three brothers, Harvey J., Paul and Ben Kulp. She is survived by her husband, Phillip, two brothers, Edward (Betty) of Oley, PA and Timothy (Thelma) of Boles, AR, their three children Rene Brehm of Chanhassen, MN, Michelle Zitzmann (Steven) of Colorado Springs, and son Sean Rice (Bethany) of Hendrix, OK. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren: Harrison Brehm; Connor, Alyssa, John, Benjamin, and Jacob Zitzmann; and Isabella, Isaiah, Soli, Micah, Caleb, Lio, Evangeline, and Shafer Rice. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren, Aurora and Sereia, daughters of Connor and Zoe Zitzmann, and Lucas and Delaney, son and daughter of Isabella and Justin Evans.
Celebration of Ruth's life will commence at 10:00 a.m. Thursday February 19 at Cross Fellowship on Black Forest Road. Flowers are welcome, but donations in her honor may also be given to Focus on the Family of Colorado Springs or Family Radio of Franklin, TN.