Gene Rice

Harold Eugene Rice, one of five children of Herbert D. and Ruth (Rash) Rice, was born May 19, 1944 in Phelps City, Missouri. Gene?s family lived in Missouri, Kansas, Wyoming, and Colorado before settling in Nemaha, Nebraska when he was in the 5th grade. Gene finished his schooling in Nemaha, graduating from high school there in 1962.

On July 6, 1963 Gene was united in marriage to Kathleen Kehr in Nemaha. They made their home in Nemaha, and were blessed with two daughters, Teresa and Tanya.

In his early years Gene worked during the warmer months as a deck hand on a buoy barge and the Meriwether Lewis on the Missouri River, and in the winter worked as a carpenter. In 1967 he started full time with Tri-Co Builders in Auburn, where he met Jerry Oestmann. The two formed a partnership that would last until their retirement, almost 40 years later. Their construction company built numerous homes and buildings in Nemaha County, including the Fellowship Hall addition at the Nemaha Methodist Church.

Gene was active in the community, including serving on the Nemaha Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years, the Village Board, and the Nemaha Cemetery Board. He also was involved in the restoration of the Nemaha Community Building. He enjoyed camping (and the naps that went along with it), going to the farm, watching Husker games, and washing his truck. He got the most enjoyment, however, from anything that involved his children or grandchildren.

Following a lengthy and gutty battle with cancer, Gene passed away at his home in Nemaha on Monday, September 17, 2007 at the age of 63 years, 3 months, and 28 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Cliff and Virginia Kehr, niece Sue Tanner, and sister-in-law Isabel Rice.

Gene is survived by his wife Kathy of Nemaha; daughters and sons-in-law Teresa and Dan Anderson of Nemaha; Tanya and Kent Crotty of Auburn; grandchildren Linsey George, Devin and Libbey Anderson, and Tess Crotty; step-grandchildren Nate and wife Chastity Crotty and Brett Crotty; 3 step-great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law Shirley and Arlen Milke of Lincoln; Jo and Ben Rogge of Blair; brothers and sisters-in-law Herb and Jan Rice, Jr. of Beverly, MA; Jack and Bonnie Rice of Lincoln; sister- and brother-in-law Karen and Jesse Nichols of Nemaha; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, September 22, 2007 at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Ruth Henderson. Special pre-recorded music was played. Pallbearers were Bob Yelkin, Ron Simmons, Jerry Oestmann, Jim Hall, Edward ?Bus? Hall, and Mike Hall. Vivian Yelkin, Carol Simmons, Roxanne Oestmann, Linda Hall, and Nancy Hall served as honorary pallbearers and flower attendants. Burial was in the Nemaha Cemetery.