Joan “Jo” Rice, age 73, of Dell Rapids and formerly of Flandreau, passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.  Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. on Tuesday, March 14th at Skroch Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M.  Jo’s funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Flandreau with burial to follow in Union Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred.  
Joan Faye Rice was born on August 25, 1949, to Emil and Wilma (Bothern) Peper in Flandreau, SD.  She grew up in Flandreau and graduated from Flandreau High School.
Jo married Mike Rice on April 13, 1968.  They raised four children: Karla, Kevin, Duane, and David.  The couple later divorced.  Jo worked for the nursing home, hospital and the clinic in Flandreau.  Later, she moved to White River to be closer to her grandchildren.  While in White River, she worked for the clinic as a transcriptionist.  Jo then moved to Howard, where she worked in the administration office. Jo was most recently living in Dell Rapids.  She made many dear friends along the way, and would always welcome a good phone call or visit to reminisce about the “good old times.”
Jo adored her grandchildren.   She played a huge role in raising them, and would watch over them when needed.  Jo was always there with an encouraging word or a helping hand.   She loved her Coke-Cola, reading, Yahtzee, and a good game of Pepper.  Jo enjoyed giving a little grief to those she loved, and was known for having a cold Miller Lite by her side.
Survivors include her children; Karla (Dan) Heyduk of White River, Kevin of Missouri, Duane (Tamra) Rice of Flandreau, and David (Lisa) Rice of Dell Rapids; grandchildren: Tyne, Shadow, Kaitlin, Dylan, Alison, Emil, Cara, Logan, Desmond, and Emily; great-grandchildren: Jessalyn, Razzyel, Bree, Lachlan, Grace, Harper, and Hadley; siblings, Jim Peper, Dar Mulder, and Bev (Wayne) Taylor and numerous nieces and nephews.  Jo was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Dean Peper.