Kelly Lynn Rice

Kelly Lynn Rice, age 51, of Traverse City MI, after a long, courageous battle with cancer, went home to Jesus, peacefully in the early hours of April 30, 2026. She was born January 22, 1975, in Cadillac Michigan.

Kelly grew up in Cadillac. She loved her friends, her animals, and showing her horse, Lady Three Decker AKA Wheezy. When she was 15 she started working at Johnny's Wild Game and Fish Park. A teenage dream job. After graduating from Cadillac High School in 1993, she moved to Traverse City and attended NMC where she received her degree in Accounting in 2000 from NMC. After college she was an accountant for Turtle Creek Casino and Resort, then went on to the Water and Sewer Division of Traverse City as the Office Coordinator and throughout the years worked for the Boone Family Restaurants.

Kelly was a beloved member of many circles, first and foremost her family. She raised, taught and loved four beautiful children. She was the Mom everyone dreams of supporting the kids in all their endeavors including sports, education and especially being very active in 4-H. Her childhood friends, horse show friends and her work friends. She was kind, loving and loved by so many. She had a way of making everyone feel like her best friend.

Kelly grew up as an only child but quickly formed friendships that turned into a family, that was everything to her. Lifelong siblings, Holly A and Chris W.

Kelly is survived by her four children: daughter Olivia Rice and fiance Alex Rosensteel of Empire, Braden Rice of Traverse City, daughter Ashlee and Jake Townsend of Traverse City, daughter Lindsay Rice of Great Falls, MT, her mother, Kathryn Seaman of Cadillac. Sister Holly(Chris) Arrington. Grandchildren Makenna and Harper Townsend. Nieces: Jessie Wetherell, Abby Wetherell, Morgan Arrington, Maddy Arrington, and Ava Arrington. Many extended family and dear friends and her beloved dogs, Boone and Digger.

Kelly was greeted in heaven by her Dad, Arthur Seaman, her dear friend, Chris Wetherell, her nephew, Blake Arrington, and her heart dog Riley.

Visitation will be held Thursday May 7, 2026 at 4pm-7pm at the Glen Lake Community Reformed Church. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Friday, May 8, 2026 with a visitation starting at 10am, also at the church. The service will be followed by a luncheon and burial service, that everyone is welcome to. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to her family Venmo @ livpaigericee.