Obituary

Dwayne Rice

December 1, 1947 - July 7, 2025

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Dwayne Gene Rice, 77, of Lincoln, passed away surrounded by family on July 7, 2025. He was born in Central City, NE, on December 1, 1947, to Albert and Frances (Mustard) Rice.  Dwayne worked as a Barber mastering his craft for 53 years.  He enjoyed his career & especially enjoyed the time spent visiting with clientele.  He took great pride in doing a good job!

Dwayne was a member of the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners for many years.  He was honored for his time spent on the Board by being inducted as an Admiral of the Navy in the Great State of Nebraska.

He proudly served his country in Vietnam.  He received 16 medals which include 2 Bronze Stars with V for Valor and 1 Purple Heart.

Family members include his wife of 55 years, Janice.  Daughter Stephanie (Steve) Janssen; grandchildren Craig (Bethany) Janssen, Derek (Ceara) Janssen, Shelby Janssen, Kielan, Jace, and Joslyn Rice; great grandchildren Delaney and Jonah Janssen, Hudson and Mason Janssen; sisters in law Susie Rice, Cecelia Mullins, Sharon (Ron) Lavene and Barb Conway; numerous extended family and friends. Preceded in death by parents, son Kurtis, brother Bill, brothers in law Larry Conway and Howard Mullins.

Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 1, 2025, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 7601 Vine St., Lincoln (05).  Interment will take place at 1:00 p.m. in the Rosehill Cemetery, Waverly.  Memorials may be given to Waverly VFW 9875 (PO BOX 15, Waverly, NE 68462), or St. John the Apostle Catholic Church.

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August1

Memorial Mass

10:30 am CST

St. John the Apostle Catholic Church

7601 Vine St., Lincoln

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Share a Memory or Condolence

July 28, 2025

Stephanie, Steve, and family: Our sympathies to all of you on the passing of your father and father-in-law. We hope the memories you have will help sustain you during this difficult time.

– Bruce McKeag
July 26, 2025

Dwayne did my hair for 49+ years. He cut my husband’s hair until he passed, my son and daughter’s hair, and my fiancé’s hair. My fiance had some health problems, and Dwayne called to see how he was doing. I loved going to Dwayne! He did my hair, and made me feel better at the same time! I will miss him. R.I.P. Dwayne.

– Barbara Ingle
July 25, 2025

Dwayne cut my husband’s hair for over 40+ years. Then later he gave first cuts to all 3 of our children and pierced our daughter’s ears! I will always remember his booming greeting as you walked into his shop/salon, his infectious laugh, and interesting stories. He was patient with the kids and great at his craft. He will be missed by many for sure.

– Jacque Battiato
July 24, 2025

We have enjoyed getting to know Dwayne at the reunions of the 22nd Infantry Society. Loved listening to all his stories. He will be missed!!

– Dottie and Jim Lally
July 24, 2025

My heart hurts for the loss of such a dear man & a wonderful cousin! Dwayne was a few years older than us but always thought of him as my hero. He taught all of us to water ski, cut our hair, played millions of games of cards with all our family at holiday get togethers & his laughter could fill the room! Later in life he shared with me some of his books from Vietnam, pictures of his time there & a sheet that outlined the highlights & memories of his life. I will forever cherish the repurposed electrical oil lamp that I have that Aunt France lit when he left for Vietnam & it was never shut off until he came home. Always a memory of the tremendous man he was, of the soldier that served his country & of a cousin who was at times larger than life & loved beyond words…. R.I.P Dwayne… fly high with the angels!

– Sandy Gottsch
July 23, 2025

Dwayne was my barber for nearly 30 years. I have too many memories to count..they range from him graciously sharing the long box of photos from Vietnam that he had mailed to Janice to develop (I had one of the best ones enlarged of him standing in the tall grass in the late afternoon, with his M-60, preparing to go on a night patrol mission-he had this framed and on the edge of the wall where he did my haircuts), to falling off the roof, to trying to cut his foot off with a chain saw, to reinforcing the transom on his boat to hold his big outboard, to having his ice sail boat go through the ice while entertaining one of his son’s friends, and many more. When I left Lincoln to work at the VA in Florida, I took these memories and share them with all of his Vietnam Veteran Brothers here, especially the ones that were 25th Infantry. I take care of several that were in Cu Chi when Dwayne was there and they love to hear his experiences near Black Virgin Mountain, the Hobo Woods, the Boi Loi woods, and going into Cambodia. He showed me the native made cross-bow he found in Cambodia. He told me how he dug and arranged his sleeping “hole” and of feeling rats run across his chest in the night…I store all of these and more in my memories of Dwayne. I hope I can say that I can consider him a friend. He took good care of me and thousands of others for decades. Rest in Peace my friend. You deserve it. This is a truly selfless soul.

– Pat McCulla
July 20, 2025

I am sorry for your loss. Dwayne was a good friend to my brother, Dave over the years. He travelled to Wahoo to help Dave move and to the nursing facility to cut his hair. He was a kind and giving man.

– Ellen Battiato Moeller
July 19, 2025

Sorry to hear of your loss 🙏 I ran into Duane on many occasions out at Woodland Hills Golf Course, he always had a smile on!!!

– Galen Miller

Obituaries & Services

  • Funeral Service

Rogene Isaacson

  • Monday, December 15 at 10:00 AM
  • Peace Lutheran Church
1/10
  • Memorial Services

Song Sil Watson

  • Monday, December 15 at 11:00 AM
  • South Chapel
2/10
  • Memorial Services

Carl Jensen

  • Tuesday, December 16 at 11:00 AM
  • Midtown Chapel
3/10
  • Memorial Services

Kaitlin Elizabeth Crouch

  • Wednesday, December 17 at 11:00 AM
  • South Chapel
4/10
  • Funeral Service

Ronald Kent Owen

  • Wednesday, December 17 at 1:00 PM
  • Metcalf Chapel
5/10
  • Memorial Services

Coleen J. Seng

  • Saturday, December 20 at 11:00 AM
  • First United Methodist Church
6/10
  • Memorial Services

David Paul Burden

  • Saturday, December 20 at 1:00 PM
  • South Chapel
7/10
  • Memorial Services

Verla Ann Liggett (Beltz) Schenk

  • Monday, December 22 at 10:30 AM
  • Capitol View Seventh-day Adventist Church
8/10
  • Celebration of Life

George L. Lamphear

  • Saturday, January 03 at 2:00 PM
  • Isles Reception Hall
9/10
  • Celebration of Life

Franklin Ellsworth Gaines

  • Saturday, January 10 at 12:00 PM
  • Isles Reception Hall
10/10
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