Ruth Lucille Lacey, 91, died on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Azria Health Rose Vista in Woodbine. She was born on March 25, 1934, on the family farm northwest of Dunlap, in Crawford County to Frank and Velma (Honaker) Mitchell. Ruth attended country school and graduated from Dunlap High School in 1952. Ruth then moved to Omaha, Neb. where she worked for Western Electric as a bookkeeper. On Oct. 3, 1953, Ruth married Giles Lacey at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap. The couple were blessed with eight children. They farmed west and north of Dunlap. In 1962, after Giles started working for IBP in Denison, and then became a federal inspector, the family moved to town.
In the early 1970's, Ruth became the first woman to serve on the Dunlap City Council. Ruth, along with Mayor Hugh O'Day, Don Winas, Ray Nauroth, Fritz Klein and Dave Houston helped get the Dunlap Care Center started. She served two terms. In the 80's and 90's, Ruth worked for her sister Betty and Jack Hawn at "Hawn's Mini Mart" in Dunlap and at Perfection Form in Logan. Along with caring for her family, Ruth loved tending to her flowers.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Velma Mitchell; husband, Giles Lacey; son, Michael Lacey; great-grandson, Riley Beeck; and beloved sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Jack Hawn. She is survived by her children, Steve (Deb) Lacey of Dunlap, John Lacey of Dunlap, Jim Lacey (Sue) of Soldier, Susan Lacey of Tampa, Fla., Kris Lacey (Dan) of Omaha, Neb., Jean (Dean) Assmann of Alta and Patricia (John) Reisz of Bellevue, Neb.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Per Ruth's request there will be no visitation, but a graveside service and a Celebration of Life will be at a later date.
Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap is in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
