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Hazel Rice promoted to glory
Lt. Colonel Hazel Rice –
Lt. Colonel Hazel Rice was promoted to Glory from Bremerton, Wash. on Oct. 21, 2007, just two weeks before her 92nd birthday.
Hazel was born in Viking, Minn. on Nov. 10, 1915, the second of three children of Peter and Louise Stevens. When Hazel was two years old, the family moved to Tacoma, Wash. and began attending the Tacoma Corps. Hazel and her sister Pearl (Lorenzen) became known for their musical skills as they sang together and accompanied themselves on their guitars. They were known as the Stevens Sisters at Salvation Army and civic events during their teenage years.
After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Hazel worked as a stenographer and bookkeeper for a year before entering the training college in San Francisco. Part of the 1936 The World for God Session, she was class valedictorian and also wrote the words and music for their session song, “The Conquest.”
Following commissioning, Hazel had several appointments in Washington and was then assigned to the training college as secretary to the principal. While there, she met Probationary Lieutenant Gene Rice. Hazel and Gene were married in 1942 at the San Francisco Citadel Corps and continued to serve together at the training college until appointed to their first corps in Eureka, Calif., where they served for five years.
Subsequently, the Rices served in various divisional appointments. Hazel served as Nurse’s Fellowship secretary in the Northern California Division; League of Mercy secretary, Southern California; director of Women’s Services, Southwest; League of Mercy secretary, Territorial Headquarters; director of Women’s Services, Southern California; and director of Special Services, School for Officer Training. The Rices concluded their service together as territorial evangelists. They retired in 1984, with Hazel completing 48 years as an active Salvation Army officer. In retirement she enjoyed participating in women’s ministries at the Chico, Calif. corps where she was a faithful soldier.
Hazel had many talents, including skills on the piano and guitar as well as a lovely alto voice. She was also a creative artisan with needle and thread, sewing machine, knitting needles or crochet hook. She was an incredible baker, cook and homemaker—even while carrying out her responsibilities as a Salvation Army officer. She was an accomplished speaker and organizer.
Hazel is survived by her husband, Lt. Colonel Gene Rice; her children: Steven (Connie), Marvin (Angela), Sandra David (Richard), and Sharon McCann (Jim); eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; her sister, Mrs. Brigadier Pearl Lorenzen, and her younger brother, Roy Stevens (Jeanne).
A memorial service was held at the Sacramento Citadel Corps, with Commissioner Joe Noland officiating.