Donald “Don” Rice, 94, of Lowry City, Missouri passed away at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Don was born on August 31, 1926 in Athol, Kansas and was the youngest son of ten children born to Thomas and Grace Rice. Don attended school in Athol until high school, where he graduated from Lowry City High School in 1945. On July 31, 1949, Don married Bette Stehwien at Lowry City United Methodist Church. Don worked for Sears – Cleveland Store in Kansas City for 27 years. In 1978, after raising their family in Raytown, Missouri, Bette and Don moved to the Snyder family farm in Lowry City where he raised cattle. Don was an active member of the Lowry City United Methodist Church and supported the local Boy Scouts of America Troop 437. He was a good friend and neighbor to all who knew him.
Don was survived by his wife of 71 years, Bette Rice, son Chris Rice (Sidney) of Schererville, Indiana and daughter Lea Ann Sprague of Leawood, Kansas. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Daniel Rice (Lauren), Mary Lea Walston (Casey), Max Sprague, Harrison Rice, Elliott Rice, and Garrett Sprague, his great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and William Rice; Caroline, Ruby and Katherine Walston, and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Lowry City Boy Scout Troop 437, c/o Hurley Mahan, 2980 NE Highway A, Lowry City, MO 64763.