04/15/2012
Freda Fern Elwood Lacey, 94, passed away of natural causes on Sunday, April 15, 2012, in rural Lucas County, at the home of her daughter Linda Bennett where she had been living for the past few years.
She was born on July 10, 1917, to Frank Alpheus Elwood and Martha Jane Phelps on the family farm near Columbia.
Mrs. Lacey attended elementary school in Columbia, graduated from Knoxville High School in 1934, and received her Bachelor’s degree from Drake University in 1967. She then went on and received her teacher's certificate and spent many years in the Bussey, Columbia, Attica, and Twin Cedars areas teaching children of various ages.
Later in her teaching career, she specialized in working with mentally handicapped students and thoroughly enjoyed the rewards associated with educating these students. Freda loved to embroider and her dogs; PJ and Tunney
Mrs. Lacey was preceded in death by her parents Frank Alpheus Elwood and Martha Jane (Phelps) Elwood, two husbands Noel Keith Chamberlain and Clell Lacey, her brothers Clayton Elwood, George Elwood, Wayne Elwood, and her sister Bernice Voco (Elwood) Foster.
Mrs. Lacey leaves behind her three daughters: Carol Louise (Chamberlain) Hubler of Columbia, Linda Kaye (Chamberlain) Bennett of Chariton, and Lois Elaine (Chamberlain) Bishop of Des Moines; and three step-daughters Caryol (Lacey) Morrow of Coralville, Sherry (Lacey) Carruthers of Columbia and Betty (Lacey) Remster of Palmyra.
She also had seven grandchildren: Steve Hayes of Leawood, Kan., Dan Hubler of Columbia, Kelly (Hayes) White of Chariton, Sandy (Hubler) Jahner of Knoxville, Debbie (Hubler) Chambers of Columbia; Julie (Bishop) Rice of Des Moines; Mike Bishop of Seattle. As well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends
Graveside services for Freda Lacey were held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at the Columbia Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to the Lucas County Humane Society.