Susan D. Rice

  Susan “Susie” Diane Rice, age 71, of One Vision, in Clear Lake, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 28, 2020.

  Due to state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will not be having a public memorial at this time.

  A private memorial service will be held at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, Iowa, with Pastor Melinda McCluskey officiating.  The service was streamed on the Facebook page on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

  Future plans are to have a public memorial service with inurnment at Salem Memorial Cemetery, rural Lake Mills.

  Susan Diane Rice was born in Albert Lea, Minn. on March 26, 1949, to parents Elwood and Cora (Adams) Rice.  She was the oldest of five children and grew up on a farm east of Lake Mills.  Born at a time when there were limited resources for children with disabilities, Susie’s parents did their best to raise a child that would eventually be diagnosed as autistic, but not until she was around 30 years old.

  Susie loved going places, eating fast food, shopping for new clothes, and looking at family photo albums.  She also loved wearing jewelry, opening presents at Christmas, big family meals, and sweets.  She had a favorite rocking chair and you had to get up if you were sitting in it.  Susie loved family gatherings with her uncles, aunts, and cousins, and had a special connection to her Aunt Carma Adams.  She sat for many pictures with her nieces and nephews and would give a gentle wave of the hand to say goodbye.

  Her parents and siblings are forever grateful to the staff and caregivers of Opportunity Village – One Vision, where Susan lived for several decades.

  She is survived by her brothers, Larry (Helen) Rice, Gregory (Julie) Rice, Richard (Linda) Rice, all of Lake Mills; her sister, Colleen Rice, of St. Charles, Mo.; nine nieces and nephews, Dan (Allison) Rice, Jennifer (James) Hilton, Nicholas (Brooke) Rice, Tyler (Lexie) Rice, Phillip (Christina) Rice, Alex (Erin) Rice, Katelin Rice, Emily Rice, and Jenny Rice; as well as many extended relatives.

  Susie is preceded in death by her parents; a niece, Mary Rice; and many dear aunts and uncles.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, was in charge of arrangements.