Dale Rice, age 78, of Lemmon, SD, passed away at his home on Monday evening, August 5, 2024.
Funeral services for Dale will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the Prince of Peace Chapel of the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD. Burial will follow in the Gallaway Cemetery near Meadow, SD.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.
Dale Lynn Rice was born April 11, 1946, in Lemmon SD to W.E. “Ted” and Elsie (Wilson) Rice. He grew up on the family farm 2 miles south of Thunder Hawk SD. He attended country school in Thunder Hawk his elementary years and went to high school in Lemmon, SD but he had to quit before he graduated to stay home and help on the farm because of his father becoming ill.
On June 22, 1968, Dale was united in marriage to the love of his life Sharon Schmierer in Lemmon at Spencer Memorial Presbyterian Church. To this union 2 girls were born Virginia Ella in 1969 and Vicki Elisabeth in 1973.
Dale had a few different professions over the years. He worked at Wheeler Manufacturing as a stone cutter, with Rollie Butler crushing rock and working in the cement plant, with Joe Weisinger building cabinets for Wheeler Manufacturing, he was a rural mail carrier for many years having multiple routes, and finally working at Hoff’s Ready Mix pouring and hauling cement on many different projects.
Dale’s hobbies were spending time with his family camping, fishing, hunting, boating, or just sitting around a fire eating smores. He loved playing checkers and taught many of his grandchildren and nieces and nephews how to play. Dad loved to pittle in his garage making anything out of wood. He showed his grandchildren how to use tools and build with wood and cement. Dale and Sharon enjoyed playing a good game of pinocle or wyst whenever they had friends over.
Dale loved popcorn with extra butter and salt. Whenever we spent a quiet evening at home watching a movie together we always had popcorn. I don’t think there was ever a day we ever ran out of popcorn.
Dale loved his family with all his heart and soul. He was so proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He tried to go to all of their activities if he knew about them and was physically able to attend, even if his back hurt so bad that he had to stand up or walk out into the lobby during the event. He would brag about them any chance he got. He would do anything for his family, often going without himself so he could help a family member.
Dale left with the angels on August 5, 2024. He fought fiercely to stay with us. He is the strongest man I know. He passed at home with his wife, and both daughters by his side holding on to him.
Proud to share his life are his wife of 56 years, Sharon Rice, Lemmon SD, 2 daughters, Virginia (Joe) Green, Bison SD and Vicki Stotz, Lemmon SD. 4 grandchildren Cody (Jenny) Green, Bison SD, Taylor (Kathryne) Green, Hettinger ND, Ryan (Brittany) Stotz, Aberdeen SD, Breanna Stotz, Bowman ND, 5 great grandchildren, Kaden, Levi, and Huntley Green, Bentley Bissett, and Willow Stotz, Aberdeen SD. 1 sister, Ellen Berg, 4 sister in laws, Pat Ainslie, Sandra Schmierer, Pam Reimer, Norma “Penny” Rice. 1 brother-in-law, Ivan Ainslie. Numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents W.E. “Ted” and Elsie (Wilson) Rice, father and mother-in-law Gottlieb and Martha (Seidel) Schmierer, 1 brother Eugene Rice, 1 sister Neoma Mudlin, and 3 brother-in-law, John Reimer, Tom Thomson, and Pat Mudlin
Casket bearers: Joe Green, Cody Green, Taylor Green, Kaden Green, Ryan Stotz, Breanna Stotz
Honorary casket bearers: All grand children and great grand children.
