N. Katherine Dodge Rice, 86, passed away on the afternoon of September 26, 2024, at her home in Walpole, surrounded by her husband Chester, her daughters Kim, Ricki, and Amy, granddaughter Morgan, and Lucky, her faithful companion.

Katherine was born on June 5, 1938, to Charles and Martha Laine Dodge of Newcastle.  She attended the Edison School, a one-room schoolhouse in Newcastle, and graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1957.  She married Chester A. Rice, the love of her life, on November 27, 1959.  Together they built a family, a house, and a very successful business in Damariscotta.  In 1992 they were able to retire and built a home on the Damariscotta River in Walpole.  

Family was the center of her life.  She was a strong independent woman (growing up in the middle of five brothers may have had something to do with that).  When her children were younger, she volunteered at school, took them on trips, rode bikes, went snowmobiling, roller skating and lots of adventures.  In 2017 she took her daughters on a trip to Finland.  She always wanted to visit Finland, where her grandparents immigrated from.  

She and Chester traveled to Florida, Alaska and extensively around the United States.  She considered Matagamon Lake a special place as well.  She enjoyed hosting 4th of July events, both at Muddy Pond and then on the Damariscotta River, for family and friends.  She loved hosting Christmas for family and friends.  

In her later years, Fridays were hair appointment day and coffee with her sisters and friends at Farfee’s.  She enjoyed watching baseball and racing.  She took care of family, and in her later years was able to spend time taking care of her great grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Chester A. Rice; daughters, Kimberly, Erica (Ricki) and partner Denny Hebert, and Amy and her husband Shannon Colby; brother, Richard Dodge and wife Madeline; sister-in-law, Terry Dodge; grandsons, Brent Benner and partner Amanda Pendleton, Donnie Benner, Nicholas Waltz and wife Amber, Adam Costa and wife Nicole, and Alex Waltz; granddaughter, Morgan Noble and husband Ben; great-grandsons, Brent Alan Benner, Jr, and Cole, Jack and Oliver Costa; a well as  many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; in-laws, Mervin and Elizabeth Rice; sisters, Martha and husband Harry Kierstead, Vera and husband Kenneth Lincoln; brothers, Charlie and wife Lucille, Ormond, Elliott, and Larry and wife Ethel (Skeet) Dodge; brother-in-law, David and wife Dora Rice; sisters-in-law, Rebecca and husband Wayne Webber, and Adele and husband Pete McFarland; as well as her nephew, David Dodge.

She will be laid to rest privately at the West Bristol Cemetery in Walpole.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Walpole Union Chapel, ℅ South Bristol Historical Society, PO Box 229, South Bristol, ME 04568.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543.  Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.