Kenneth Dean Lacey

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

April 13, 1925 - Sept. 8, 2009

INDIANOLA -- Kenneth Dean Lacey, age 84, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at Cambridge Manor.

He was born in Sharon Springs, Kan., to Ernest Ellsworth and Eunice Cleora (Donaldson) Lacey on April 13, 1925. He graduated from Sharon Springs High School in 1943.

He entered the U.S. Army Air Force on Aug. 8, 1943 and served during World War II with the 455th Bomb Group as a ball turret gunner on a B-24.

He completed 50 missions before his honorable discharge on Aug. 25, 1945.

He was the recipient of five Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Medals for meritorious achievement in aerial flights and the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial combat in the Mediterranean Theatre.

Following the war Kenneth traveled through a number of states competing in rodeo bull riding and bareback riding before building Smokey Hill River Ranch where he resided until 1970.

He married April Underwood on August 31, 1946 in Russell, Kan. She preceded him in death. He later married Elaine Shea on May 23, 1971, in Ogallala, she passed away in 1985. He married Charlotte Sahm on March 17, 1992, in Indianola. Kenneth was owner and operator of Lacey Feed in Indianola for many years.

He was a member of the VFW in Indianola.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Eunice Lacey; wife, April on Dec. 3, 1991, and wife, Elaine on Nov. 1, 1985; one grandson, Bradley Allaman; and stepchildren, Maureen Placek, and Bob Sahm.

He is survived by his son, Kim Lacey of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughters, Gayle Stecklein and husband, Dan of Hays, Kan., and Gwen Kroeker and husband, Jeffery of Albuquerque, N.M.; step-children, Clarence "Clue" Sahm of Indianola, Fred Sahm and wife, Cheri of Omaha, Catherine McConnell and husband, Steve of McCook, Michael Sahm of California, Mary Swartz and husband, Kevin of Dumas, Texas and Elizabeth Weiss and husband, Murry of McCook; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be given in his name.

Rosary will be Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, 7 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, 10 a.m,. at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola with Father Thomas McGuire as Celebrant. Burial will be in the Dinas Cemetery in Wallace, Kan., at 4 p.m. C.S.T. with Pastor Paul McNall officiating.

Visitation will be today until 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. until time of rosary. Friends may send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.