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Mary Hulings Rice

Mary Hulings Rice

July 22nd, 1940 - December 2nd, 2020

Biography


Mary Hulings Rice


(July 22, 1940 – December 2, 2020)


     Mary Hulings Rice, age 80, of Bayfield, passed away Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at her residence. She was born Mary Elizabeth Hulings July 22, 1940, in Stillwater, the daughter of Bill and Betty (Andersen) Hulings.


     She attended Stillwater High School, graduating in 1958. She then graduated from Carleton College (Northfield, MN) in 1962. While attending Carleton she met John Rice and they were married in 1963. She worked as a secretary in downtown Minneapolis until John, who was an officer in the US Army was sent to Germany. She and John lived in Baumholder, Germany from 1967-69, where their first child was born, and then Warrington, England from 1969-70, where their second child was born. Mary and John returned to live in St. Paul, MN in 1970 until they were divorced in 1979. Divorce was relative to Mary, and she considered John, his second wife Barbara, and their daughter, immediate family.


     In 1973, with her sister Martha Kaemmer and college friend Steve Soderman, Mary opened Thrice, a cookware store on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, which soon took over the neighboring storefront and became a cooking school. She, with her friend Carole Howe, a fellow Grand Avenue business owner, conspired to create the yearly celebration known as Grand Old Day.


     Mary moved to Bayfield, WI in 1980. She had been traveling to Bayfield for the summers since she was a small child when her father purchased the Shaw farm on Sand Island. Prior to moving to Bayfield Mary opened a gift shop called The Rear Admiral. Mary opened Maggie’s restaurant in 1980, where the pink flamingo was the mascot and became one of Mary’s most identifiable symbols. Mary announced her plan to close Maggie’s on October 20, 2020. She had several other restaurants and food related businesses over the years in Bayfield including Mainstreet Maggie’s, Bates Bar, and The Egg Toss.


     In 1983, Mary purchased The Clubhouse restaurant on Madeline Island, which became a well renowned destination in foodie communities. She closed The Clubhouse in 1999 to open an even better and more adored eating experience, Wild Rice Restaurant, in the woods on the shore of Lake Superior south of Bayfield. Wild Rice closed its doors in 2017, but the experience she began lives on in the form of Wild Rice Retreat, with new owners.


     She had a hand in starting so many other businesses: Big Top Chautauqua, Madeline Island Music Camp, CORE Community Resources, to name a few. And she served on the boards of many organizations including Northland College and the Madeline Island Ferry Line. She also encouraged the development of nonprofits such as Apostle Islands Historic Preservation Conservation and Apostle Islands Area Community Fund.


     The “Queen of Bayfield”, Mary was an impresario extraordinaire who organized countless dinners, parties, events, mystery tours and celebrations year round. She was founder of the Blue Moon Ball, Northern New Years, the Fun Hogs, the Rump Committee and F.U.N. (Flamingos Up North), the umbrella for her many restaurants.


     She led tours for family and friends to exotic places, art museums, vineyards and the finest restaurants around the world—and to her beloved Rasina in Umbria, Italy, and Hope Town, Bahamas, where she became a central figure in the community. Each trip was planned down to the last detail to make sure all could experience it fully.


     In Bayfield, her home was open to everyone—no knocking on the door, just walk in—everyone, that is, except tourists who would wander in thinking her Queen Anne house was a B&B. She would hold court from her chair in the solarium, where she would be planning the next occasion to gather friends together.


     Mary touched many lives with her unlimited generosity while demanding excellence from those organizations and people she supported. She was discerning and strategic in her philanthropy yet immediately responded to emergency needs in her community, no matter the cause. Her giving wasn't encumbered by her ego; she truly seemed fine with providing people a place to start and then letting them run with it.


     Though she was often a “larger than life” character, Mary was also a gifted artist—watercolors her specialty—and a beautiful singer in choirs and at Sunday Church on Sand Island. She had a gift for storytelling and story making experiences were guaranteed with Mary. While she loved the fanfare and notoriety that came with being the “Queen”, she also felt a deep responsibility for Bayfield and it’s welfare.


     She loved to read, a book a night sometimes. Her vocabulary was vast and vulgar. She had wit that didn’t quit, and creativity without limit. She was a list maker and a problem solver.


     Mary is survived by her two daughters, Mary “Molly” Rice (Dan Priebe) of Hudson, WI, and Katherine (Rice) Hayes of St. Paul, MN; a “bonus daughter” Alison (Cody) Urhammer of Hudson, WI; and 4 grandchildren; Sam Priebe, Zeno Priebe, Sevona Hayes and Tysen Hayes; and last but not least, her “right hand” life and project manager, Margaret Erickson of Bayfield, WI.


     She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Martha Kaemmer; a best friend, Karlyn Holman; and three Sand Island soul mates, Warren, Peter, and Tom Jensch.


     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to any of the following: CORE Community Resources (corecr.org), Bayfield Heritage Association (bayfieldheritage.org), Bayfield Rec Center (recreationandfitnessresources.org), Big Top Chautauqua/Mt. Ashwabay (bigtop.org, mtashwabay.org).


     Burial will be postponed until spring. An in person memorial service will be held in the future when everyone can gather and hug safely.

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About

Name Mary Hulings Rice
Date of Birth July 22nd, 1940
Date of Death December 2nd, 2020
Home Town Bayfield, WI, US 
Favourite Saying Go for it!
In Memoriam Donation CORE Community Resources
In Memoriam Donation Bayfield Rec Center
Cemetery

Memorial

Funeral Home Bratley Family Funeral Homes
Cemetery Old Willow River Cemetery
Address Hudson WI
United States
Milestone

Milestones

1954 - 1958 Stillwater High School, High School
1958 - 1962 Carleton College, B.A. History
1980 - 2020 The Queen, F.U.N.

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Pam Kelly published a tribute .

My mother Mit and Mary in Hope Town! Too much FUN for 65 years!!

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Marcy Nolte published a comment .

Mary is the Queen of Bayfield! I brushed elbows with her many times and she was always a delight! I can never look at a flamingo and not think of her with fond memories. She is and will always be in our hearts! I always admired the apples she had on her posts around her home during Applefest! What a woman!

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Kathryn Nelson published a tribute .

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom, Kathy. Hope you and the family are able to honor her legacy in these challenging times. Sending you love and strength across the miles. May her soul rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing

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Yosra/catherine published a comment .

Sending Solace from the Pyramids.
Bayfield is many things and many people in my mind. Of course, my father, ecologist Dr. Bob B. and Blondie the porcupine, the Pier, the ravine under the Old Iron Bridge, Judith from Greunke's, Chris and Hilda, Denise and Ernie (and their petrified cat), and the force known as Mary Rice. She was such an energy, that I truly didn't even imagine she would be gone when I googled her name. I'd been thinking of her. She is the kind of person who stays with you because she was truly unique. I remember being on Sand Island for a very memorable week with Molly and Kathy. At the end of the week, there was a big party and a funny faux marriage to a local skipper. Mary marched up the aisle to Elton John's Crocodile Rock. Not too much later, she gave my father and his then wife an adult version of a prom to send them off to the Virgin Islands. When he returned to Bayfield, I will always be grateful that she was there to help my father when a lot of hope for the retreat center Potter's Farm was gone. Yes, she was Maggie's and flamingos, but she was bigger than all that---in fact, there wasn't one project that could hold her forever. She was always on to another one! God bless her. In many ways, this latest venture of hers is only another way she's found of recreating her life. I have always had a lot of respect for her authenticity. She will remain loved. Hugs to you two Rice girls.

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Janet Sternat published a tribute .

Mary will forever be the Queen of our hearts. Her joy was contagious.

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Catherine Jordan published a tribute .

Hi Mary's Family: I am a friend of John Kalbrener, pictured here, who was a friend of Mary's when he lived in Bayfield in the 80's (?). I met Mary once while visiting John. She was preparing for a big party at her house on the hill. John is living in an assisted living setting. I read him Mary's wonderful obituary and he remembered her fondly. We're sorry for your loss. She was a force of nature.

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Leroy Horn published a tribute .

I met Mary once at Maggie's (of course). We just drove by her house in Sept. I am a sailor (cruising & racing) in the Apostles for over 50 years. Legacy comes to mind as we remember this generous, quality, Bayfield benefactor, who provided great food. Please honor her by keeping the fast food & chains out of Bayfield. We can get that in other places. Please model your life to be a legacy such as Mary's.

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Satish Weber published a tribute .

I'm so sorry to hear this news...The Rice house was my go-to 4th to 6th grade for sleepovers and fun and good food. I remember one year, for Halloween, Mary decided to pop into an antique store and purchase a coffin for decoration! She was a really fun lady - as her daughters were, and I'm sure, still are. I'm sorry for your loss Molly and Kathy.

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Katherine Hayes published a comment .

Satish!!! Thank you

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Katherine Hayes published a comment .

Hi Satish, I tried to send you a link so that we could have a conversation on my keeper page, but it appears I wasn't successful the first time. If you're interested, follow this link to my page. I'd love to hear what you're doing in adult life!
https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/KatherineHayes/?pvgLink=syvrd7540f

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Carl French published a tribute .

Mary did much for our hearts and community. Thanks for all the good memories Mary. Bayfield would not have been the same without you.

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Michael Miller published a tribute .

We are all deeply saddened by Mary's death. She was an inspired and generous force for good! Northland College was blessed to have Mary as a true friend and in our corner. Her big heart and her impact on the college as a trustee, an advocate for all the right causes, and as a donor were simply remarkable. Mary Trettin and I were sincerely honored to be with her in our NC roles. We were honored to call her friend!

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Peter Walters published a comment .

We drank, laughed, and played pool late into the night of my sisters wedding in Bayfield. I think she let me win because I was a poor college student that needed the money. Thanks Mary!

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Janet Sternat published a tribute .

Sand Island memories....heaven on earth...so thankful

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Janet Sternat published a tribute .

So many good Hope Town memories.

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Thomas George published a tribute .

I was saddened to learn that Mary Rice passed away this week. She was a great person who touched so many people with her positive attitude and enormous generosity. I was a young man who came to her in 1985 with an idea to start a music camp on Madeline Island even though I had no experience running a music camp. She liked the idea and said “Go for it!” and became the founding benefactress—an angel for Madeline Island Music Camp. With her and her family’s financial support she helped me attain a career I could never have imagined at the time. Thousands of young aspiring musicians benefited over the years.

She had an outrageous sense of humor. During a formal fundraising event and dinner she made us all laugh when she came over to our table while we were eating our fancy, gourmet dinner and brought over a plate of White Castle hamburgers with mustard and ketchup on the side!

I am so sorry for your loss Katherine and Molly and for all who knew her. I miss her and will remember her as one of the most important people in my life

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Janet Sternat published a tribute .

Mary was one of a kind...a true gem with many, many facets....sparkling still in so many hearts. She loves her family, friends, art, history, Bayfield, Hope Town, St Paul, Italy, Bayport, Paint-Ins, galas and dinner parties, food and beverages, making and wearing jewelry, sharing stories and planning, decorating, collecting, photography and pictures, Lake Superior, boat rides, sailing,, Sand Island, flowers, people, music, The Big Top , Ashwabay, Music Camp, Northland College, Carleton, fun, jokes and silliness, holidays including Halloween, being generous and giving. We have so much to remember and be grateful for her touching so many lifes. So dear to my heart always in all ways.

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Linda & Don Shearer published a tribute .

Condolences to the family and all of Mary's friends. Bayfield will not be the same without Mary Rice. My grandparents built a house across the street (Bertram and Birgit Noreng) so we heard wonderful stories about Mary when we were up North visiting. As adults we learned about her philanthropic endeavors in the art community, BHA, and other places. Our first trip to Maggies made it our favorite lunch place when visiting Bayfield. She hosted us once in her lovely home. Mary treated us like family for the short stay during the Sand Island Pioneers exihibit grand opening. RIP Queen Mary. You will be missed.

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Katharine Winston published a comment .

Oh my, oh dear! Was in the process of labeling pictures and came across a few my sister Nina took of me in the bathroom at Wild Rice with the lovely ladies. I wanted to verify the name of the restaurant and thus came upon Mary's Obituary!! The Winstons: Jack and Caroline; children John, Katharine, Nina, and Robert....and the grandchildren have such fond memories of all the experiences we had in Mary's restaurants - whether on Madeline (The Club House - always an event when we were on the island) or all her enterprises in Bayfield...And I would be remiss if I didn't mention Randy always "holding down the fort" either at The ClubHouse or Wild Rice (at least whenever we dined at either place over the years). Mary truly was a force to be reckoned with and she did so much for both communities (La Pointe and Bayfield). Whenever we were on the Island, we always had to have at least ONE meal at her unique establishments. We will all be missing while remembering Mary.

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Joan Masotas-Hoel published a tribute .

I was honored and delighted too spend time with Mary and her family with my family on Sand Island and at the light house on several occasions. You will be missed by so many. Joanie Bear Island

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Steven & Lynn Keister published a tribute .

She treated Tim Palm and Megan with love and through them to Lynn and I on many visits to Bayfield. She will be much missed.

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Kelley Lindquist published a tribute .

My thanks to the whole family for sharing this beautiful picture and lovely statement. I have so many amazing memories of Mary over the years. Such a generous spirit, such a joy of life, she inspired me in every way. I will remember her dearly for the rest of my life. My warmest thoughts and condolences to her brilliant daughters and loving family. Warmly, Kelley Lindquist❤️

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Dot Lorz’S. published a tribute .

So sorry for your loss Kathryn. Your mom was a fantastic lady! She had to be to have a daughter as kind and as generous as you. Our prayers are with you and your family.❤️

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Blair Nelson published a tribute .

Thank you for all your did for the Bayfield Carnegie Library, Mary.

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Jane Silberstein Rein published a comment .

Thank you, Mary, for all you did to support the heart and soul of the community, community organizations and so many individuals. Your kindness and generosity will be remembered for generations to come.

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Teresa Weber published a tribute .

Thank u for scholarship for our grandaughter teresa a weber and ducky

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Julie Schmit published a comment .

Sorry for your loss Kath. Sounds like she was a legend in Bayfield. Warm howls as you go through this time. xoxo Julie Schmit

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Will Heyer published a tribute .

A Great Lady!...Loved her Abaco's

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John Goodrich published a tribute .

My mother, Sally Goodrich, and Mary were close friends from their times together in Hope Town. I had the good fortune of sharing many lovely visits with Mary while visiting my mother. This was a picture from the last of those in March 2018. Mary's kind spirit was immediately apparent as was her love of life. They shared a gold cart on Hope Town for several years and I expect they are now enjoying a ride to watch a sunset together with friends...

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Carla Tourin published a comment .

Katherine - Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother - way too soon. She was a force of nature who touched so many lives and her legacy lives on!

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