Jeremiah "Jere" Rice

On Friday, December 30, 2022, Jeremiah Keogh Rice, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather (of 8 boys!), was called home with the deep peace of Christ’s light to be with the Lord. He was surrounded by his loving family in the final hours. He was eighty-two having been born to Leo Stanley Rice and Loretta Kenney Keogh on February 1, 1940.

Jeremiah’s (Jere), devotion to his Catholic Faith, gave strength to his family.  He married his childhood sweetheart, Catherine Marie Fountain Rice, on August 26, 1967.  They grew up across the street from each other and he knew early in his life that she was “The One”.  They recently celebrated an amazing 55 years of marriage. Jere was patient and kind; he reflected God’s soothing presence in the way he loved and led his family.

Jere was a true natural athlete and excelled in basketball, football (left tackle at Lake Forest College) and golf.  Highlights of his lifetime of golf included shooting his age (74) and three holes in one.  He treasured golfing with his sons and grandsons the day after Thanksgiving and Father’s Day.  He served as president of the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club and was inducted into its Hall of Fame for his role as coach for many teams and for growing youth soccer in Milwaukee.  Jere also loved playing (and winning at) cards with family and friends and his Buick Rivieras.

Jere graduated from St. Monica’s, Whitefish Bay High School, and Lake Forest College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.  He was committed to his country serving in the 84th division of the Army Reserve.  Jere went on to become a successful business owner, specializing in large scale residential real estate brokerage and management.

Those left behind to cherish his memories include his precious wife, Cathy, his sister Patricia Rice Blake, his children, their spouses and significant others, Shawn (Mary) Rice, Loretta (David) Romeo, David (Jennifer) Rice; and 8 grandsons, August Rice, Hugo Rice, Eli Rice, Matthew Romeo, Nicholas Romeo, Ryan Romeo, Kevin Rice, and Ethan Rice. He joins his parents and his brother, the late Reverend Father John M. Rice in heavenly peace.

The family would like to thank the medical and care teams at the Cedar Community Cottages, West Bend, WI and the Aurora hospice team for their care and compassion.

A visitation will be held at on Friday, January 6, 2023, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at St Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 1025 South 7th Avenue, West Bend.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:15 a.m. at St Frances Cabrini Catholic Church with Father Kevin Harmon officiating.  Jere will be buried in a private ceremony and will join his parents at Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee.

In lieu of flowers, gifts or donations may be directed to CurePSP at www.psp.org in memory of Jere K. Rice.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Jere’s arrangements. Please consider signing our online guest book (www.myrhum-patten.com) to share your condolences with the family.