Kenneth Warren Rice

Kenneth W. Rice, 69 years of age, of Lexington, Nebraska, peacefully passed away with his family by his side on Friday, June 17, 2011 at the Tri-County Hospital in Lexington.

The family is honoring Ken's wish for an informal Celebration of Life Service to include family and friends sharing memories in the fellowship area at the Grace Lutheran Church in Lexington on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Mr. Mike Millican, officiating. Family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Kenneth Warren Rice was born May 3, 1942 at Kansas City, Missouri, the third of five children of Ernest and Nellie (Anderson) Rice. He received his education at Norton, Kansas, graduating from Norton Community High School with the class of 1960. He then pursued higher education at Ft. Hays State in Hay, Kansas.

On August 14, 1960 he was united in marriage to Sharon Lynn Herman at Norton and to this union four children were born: Kelly, Kristi, Warren and Kraig. In earlier years, the family made their home in several communities throughout Nebraska and Kansas with Ken's involvement in Management with Safeway Grocery. The family then settled to North Platte, Nebraska, where Ken owned and operated the Nebraskan Grocery Store. He also owned and operated Rice's Market and Deli in Lexington and Norton, Kansas for several years. After his involvement in the grocery business, Ken worked in Management for Wal-Mart for twenty years in several locations until his retirement.

Ken enjoyed cooking, traveling and most of all loved being with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Edith Herman.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Sherry of Lexington; his four children: Kelly Richards and husband, Loren of Kearney, Nebraska, Kristi Jergensen and her husband, Kent of Lexington, Warren Rice and his wife, Peggy of Kearney, and Kraig Rice of Santa Barbara, California; eleven grandchildren: Karri Richards, Stephani Richards Worley, Kasey Richards, Kasandra Richards, Corey Jergensen, Caleb Jergensen, John Rice, Melanie Ocampo and her husband, Miguel, Fawn Rader, Jeremie Mitchell and Nikoli Rice; seven great-grandchildren: Joslynn and Laci Worley, Brooklyn and Makenzee Rader, Maliki Mitchell and Mauricio and Mia Ocampo; two brothers: Ernie Rice and his wife, Joy of Reno, Nevada and Dean Rice and his wife, Kenda of Chandler, Arizona; two sisters: Joann Kella of Sparks, Nevada and Gwen Detlefsen of Mesa, Arizona; sister-in-law, Kathy Engweiler and her husband, Lee of McPherson, Kansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring his wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in his memory and kindly suggested to the Tri-County Hospital-Patient Care Services or the Lexington Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.