Home of: Bernie and Leslie Rice

RANGELY | Longtime Rangely residents Bernie and Leslie Rice are this week’s “home of” honorees. Bernie has been here since 1976. Leslie’s family moved here in 1962 when she was a child. The Rices will celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary in November.Bernie is the director of cardio pulmonary and the compliance officer for Rangely District Hospital. Leslie is a cashier/clerk for Moon Lake Electric’s Rangely office.Bernie and Leslie have three daughters: Jeanette Wilcox, husband Kyle and their children Ashley, Kayla and Kolten live in Council Bluffs, Iowa; daughter Jodi Black and son Alex and daughter Jamie Donovan, Jamie’s husband Dustin and daughters Caeleigh and Aaleigha all live in Rangely. “Jodi and Jamie are Rangely natives from day one,” said Leslie.Bernie has served on the Rangely Town Council and been a director on the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy Board.The Rices returned last week from a two-week family trip to Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Eight family members went on the trip, that was arranged by Bernie’s sister Marie Holdsworth of Powell, Wyo. Bernie’s sister-in-law Sara Rice of Rangely also made the trip. Marie’s husband suggested the trip as the Rice family originated from Norway and their grandfather Rice immigrated to the United States when he was 12. “It was a wonderful trip, we had good weather, the fjords in Norway are fantastic. We visited Oslo, Norway last Tuesday afternoon and left that day. The bombing happened Friday. We were three blocks away from the bombing site,” Leslie explained.“We ride our street bikes when we can and enjoy spending time and traveling with our kids and grandkids when possible,” Leslie said.“We love the slow pace of Rangely. It’s a good place to raise the kids. It’s peaceful. We love the small town atmosphere here. People watch out for each other. It’s a great place to call home,” Leslie added.