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Richard “Dick” Rice, 92, of Storm Lake died April 13, 2026, in Sioux City.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Storm Lake Cemetery. Visitation will take place Friday, April 17, from 5-7 p.m. with an Odd Fellow service at 7 p.m. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Richard Dean Rice was born on Nov. 14, 1933, the son of Everett and Flora (Taylor) Rice. Dick grew up in Storm Lake, where he attended school and graduated from Hayes Township School in 1952.
In 1945, the Rice family moved to the farm at the present location, where Dick farmed with his father. In 1971, his brother Tom joined the operation. They raised cattle and farrow to finish hogs. They planted corn, beans and other crops over the years. Truly a family endeavor.
On July 1, 1953, Richard was united in marriage for 72 years to Monica Mary Miller at St. Mary’s Church in Storm Lake by Father Lawless. Together, they were blessed with four daughters: Pat, Elizabeth, Cindy and Joleen.
As a young family, Dick enjoyed boating on the lake and even built, in 1963, a pontoon boat for the family to enjoy. His parents, who loved fishing, enjoyed it also.
He was known for his ability to invent and fix things with his hands and enjoyed welding in his spare time. Dick loved driving his tractors and skid steer. Farming was his passion, and he took great pride in working on the land and raising livestock.
Dick was a member of several organizations and was invested in the farming community. He was the clerk for Hayes Township, a member of the Buena Vista County Election Board and in 1981, Dick became president of the Storm Lake Cemetery Association. He was a 50-year member of the Masons, the Shriners, Eastern Star and Hayes Farmers Club. He belonged to Odd Fellows for 74 years, just missing his 75-year pin. In July 2019, he traveled to New Orleans with family to receive an award from UCT (United Commercial Travelers) that he was very proud of. It was called The Rose.
Family meant everything to Dick, and his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him and loved. He will be deeply missed.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 72 years, Monica Rice of Storm Lake; children: Pat Allen of Storm Lake; Elizabeth Anspach of Alta; Cindy Emery (Jon) of Ames; Joleen Brady (Jim) of Johnston; grandchildren: Jessica (Bill) Linn of Humboldt; Dawn Anspach of Huntington Beach, Calif.; Valerie (Josh) Pyle of Schaller; Rebeca (Justin) Bein of Walcott; Jacalyn (Steven) Smith of Le Mars; Paul (Megan) Sodahl of Ames; Jill Sodahl of Ames; Amanda (Trevor) Huisman of Urbandale; David (Emmie) Brady of Des Moines; and Ann Brady of Des Moines; great-grandchildren: Cymon Ferrell, Rhythum Linn, Nova Smith, Luna Smith, Henry Bein, Holden Pyle, Kiley Sodahl, Madison Sodahl, Macey Sodahl, Attaya Moorlet, Graham Huisman, Blaine Huisman, Vaughn Huisman, Ruth Brady and Maeve Brady; brothers: Ed (Loa) Rice of Alta; Tom (Doris) Rice of Storm Lake; sister-in-law Joan (Melvin) Miller; extended family, neighbors and many friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Flora Rice; brother Bob (Dorothy) Rice; sister Marjorie (Arlin) Otto; grandsons, Christopher Allen and Nick Allen; and great-granddaughter Kinsey Sodahl.
