Rebecca Kay Rice

On September 6, 2022, Becky Rice passed peacefully from a well-lived and well-loved life. Becky was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa to LaVon and Robert Williams on October 20, 1946. She lived at 2603 Walnut Street her entire childhood, just blocks from the UNI campus, with her parents and siblings Rich and Rhonda. Growing up, her family traveled throughout the US in a little camper. The traveling she loved, the camping she did not. She attended Price Lab School, State College High School, and then the University of Northern Iowa where she was a cheerleader for the Panthers. In college she and her friend, Barb, ventured to Europe for a summer, working small jobs to pay for their survival and fun. While only she and Barb know the details of their journey, the love of Spanish language, world culture, and travel were instilled in her forever! The adventure and history she would experience on this trip inspired yearly family trips with her former husband, Ron, and her daughters, Lindsey and Cassie. The trips were all about learning and history, and no beach vacations. Ever. After retirement, she continued traveling with friends to Peru, Cuba, Spain, and many other US cities....[more]

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Inspired by Spain and the Spanish language, Becky was determined to share her love of learning about the world with others by becoming a Spanish teacher. One of her favorite teaching positions was at Gilbert High School, where for 23 years she thrived sharing her love for Spanish culture with her students, and took multiple student groups to Spain. Friendships with her retired teachers' group from Gilbert were greatly valued. She also had long lasting personal connections from her years spent living in Mason City, IA and Hudson, WI. The Ridgewood neighborhood in Ames, Questers, Sister City and Food at First also fostered enduring friendships. Becky's greatest passion was her family. She was a dedicated mom to her daughters, supporting them with unconditional love from the day they were born. Once she had grandchildren, she would engage them in play, the arts, cooking and song when they would visit her. The only time the grandchildren would cry would be when they had to go home! Becky rarely missed a sporting or performance event by any of them. She was always present and would always stay until the end. She is survived by her daughters, Lindsey (Chad) Cornwell and Cassie (Seth) Dohrn; brother, Rich (Mary) Williams; sister, Rhonda (Scott) Murray, adoring grandchildren, Tess, Carson, Cael and Jack; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Rice and Betsy Rice; and a host of extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents and several aunts and uncles. A celebration of Becky's life will be held on September 16 from 3:30-6:00 in the ISU Alumni Center Ballroom, located at 429 Alumni Lane in Ames. (While an avid Hawkeye fan, she actually did cheer for the Cyclones... except on any Cy-Hawk match-up!) In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Food at First https://foodatfirst.com/donate/