Louis F. Rice

Louis F. Rice, 96, died at Brookside Retirement Community in Overbrook, Kansas on October 4, 2016.

He was born March 22, 1920 in Buffalo, KS and graduated from Buffalo High School. After high school, he served in the US Army, earning a medal of honor during active duty in WWII. He married Darlene Fern Bowlin on December 14, 1947 in Topeka, KS. While in Topeka, he was self employed as a carpenter for many years at Rice's Custom Cabinets. He was a long standing member of the Topeka Local Carpenter's Union. He and Darlene later moved to Sylvia, KS, where he worked for Architectural Millworks in Hutchinson, KS until the business closed. He then began a career with Larned State Hospital, teaching the carpentry trade to inmates, retiring at the age of 78. He and Darlene remained in Sylvia for several years, later moving to Burlingame, KS to be closer to family.

Louis treasured his relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and clients. He often spoke fondly of the people he worked for, with, or had opportunity to meet. He loved time spent with family, and enjoyed sharing his love of music while singing around the piano. You could often find him tending to his garden, which he enjoyed. He was quick witted, mentally sharp, and could always be counted on to share trivia over a variety of topics. He encouraged grandchildren to reach for the stars, with the utmost faith that with effort and dedication anything could be accomplished. While he had a strong loving and compassionate side, he was also known for his playfulness and love of children. He once built stilts for all the neighborhood children and taught the skill of using them, took groups of kids to the movies, and was quite accomplished at a game of fast hands. He was a master story teller. You would often hear him say, "He's a dandy." We all have to agree, yes he was.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene Rice, Overbrook; son, Glenn Rice (Linda) of San Diego, CA; daughter, Terri Perez (Andy) of Topeka, KS; son, Michael Rice of Kansas City, MO; daughter, Anna Seele (Danny) of Burlingame, KS; daughter, Raymola Mowery (Charles) of Carbondale, KS; 18 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Alonzo Rice and Sarah Rory Rice; 12 siblings; daughters, Brenda Halstead and Linda Behymer; son, Galen Rice; and two grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 14, 2016 at Church of Christian Fellowship, 430 Commercial Street, Carbondale, KS. Interment will follow at the Buffalo Cemetery, in Buffalo, KS.

Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th Street, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66614.