Eric B. Rice

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud for Eric B. Rice, age 80, of St. Cloud, who passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Reverend Susie Putzke will officiate. Burial of the urn will be in Mount Hope Cemetery in Clearwater. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday at the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Eric was born on November 16, 1944 in Subiaco, Western Australia to Leonard Rice and Shirley (Jackson) Rice. He grew up a “Navy Brat”, moving from state to state, before settling in Oahu, Hawaii. While in Hawaii, he attended Brigham Young University, loved to snorkel, and started a taxi company, transporting the likes of the Hawaii Five-O cast and Carol Burnett across Oahu.

His restless spirit landed him in Grand Forks, ND, where he completed Truck Driving School in 1978. While on the road and passing through Clearwater, MN, he met the love of his life, Lauren, who turned him down for a date three times. His persistence paid off, and after dating only 5 months, he and Lauren eloped to Watertown, SD on November 21,1979. He became “Dad” to Lauren’s two daughters, Dena and Heather, a role that he embraced and came naturally to him.

Eric was a gentle giant, at 6’6” tall, and was kind and accepting to everyone. He loved to be goofy, wear attention-grabbing suspenders, watch the Weather Channel and shout game show answers at the TV. He was known for his silly sayings, like sticking his tongue out at you and saying, “Well, be that way!” or answering “Hope so” every time you said, “Talk to you later”.

Eric religiously played the lottery for years hoping to win big! What he didn’t realize is that we had already won the lottery in him. From the way he romanced, supported, and adored- Lauren, to the way he provided for and loved his daughters and grandchildren like they were his very own, he was an amazingly kind and hardworking man who will be cherished forever. We always were and will forever be “his”.

He is survived by his daughters Dena Mostoller of St. Cloud; Heather (Kario) Brooks of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Amber, Luke, Logan, Hunter (Jasmine), Farrah; great grandchildren, Rozaria, Lorenté, Talia, Greyson; Brother: Brian (Bobbie) Rice and Sister, Cheryl (Donnie) Stephan; and extended family and friends.

Eric was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Lauren, his parents, aunts, and extended family.