Evelyn M. Rice, 99, of Surprise AZ, and formerly of DeKalb, IL, died Friday, December 12, 2025 at The Oasis at Fellowship Square in Surprise.  She was born January 1, 1926 in DeKalb, the daughter of Arthur G. and Mabel R. (Cooper) French.

She graduated from DeKalb High School in 1943.

Evelyn married Lewis J. Rice on March 3, 1945. They spent the next 72 years together, farming, dancing, traveling, golfing and playing cards. She was a member of the First Baptist Church for 89 years, having served on several committees, as well as singing in the choir. She retired from Sycamore School District as Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools. Upon retirement she joined the Sycamore Ladies 18 hole golf league and golfed until moving to Arizona in 2012.

Evelyn was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and dearly loved them all, as well as all her nieces and nephews.

She is survived by two sons James (Christie) Rice and Jack (Barbara) Rice; her grandchildren, Susan Rice (Don) Heuck, Kenneth Rice, Dale (Hilary) Rice, Meredith (Paul) Kuiper, and Ian Rice; her great grandchildren Amanda Heuck, Kaylann, Wyatt Boone and Evelyn Kuiper; and her sister, Barbara (Stanley) Brint.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lewis in 2017; 7 brothers and 4 sisters.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb with the Rev. Christopher Hines, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in DeKalb, officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Rice Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.