Cecilia Rose Rice, 94, of Flandreau, SD, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Riverview Health Center in Flandreau, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 19, 2025 at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Flandreau, SD. The family will be present for visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 PM on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau, SD.

Cecilia was born August 2, 1931 in rural Elkton, SD to John and Agnes (Aurit) Sauer.  The family moved to Larchwood, IA, where Cecilia grew up on the farm outside of town and graduated from West Lyon Public School.  Cecilia married Leo Rice on October 17, 1951.  They moved to the farm northwest of Flandreau where she was a homemaker while raising her family.  She was involved with her children's 4-H and the ladies' neighborhood club.  Later in life, Cecilia worked with the State Human Services to help families that needed additional assistance.  For many years she worked as a nutritionist at the Flandreau Hospital until retirement.  Cecilia moved to 205 W. 2nd Avenue, Flandreau, where she resided until moving into the Riverview Healthcare Center.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Leo Rice; five children: Paul (Carol) Rice, Fort Dodge, IA, Dale (Delores) Rice, Parkston, SD, Teresa (Stephan Brady) Nelson, Flandreau, SD, Wayne Rice, Bullhead City, AZ, Mae (Curt) Mohror, Flandreau, SD; sister, Mary Ellen (Don) Giles, Larchwood, IA; brother, Clarence Sauer, Midland, TX; 17 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren.

Cecilia was preceded in death by her children:  infant, Betty Ann (1960), Dennis (2016), and Patty (2021); her parents, John and Agnes Sauer; brothers, Lawrence, Johnny, Edward and Anthony Sauer; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.