Willora "Jane" Lacey

They say the best things come in small packages, and Willora "Jane" Lacey was the living proof. Jane was a tiny lady with a personality that could fill the entire state of Kansas. On May 11, 2026, Jane completed her journey in Holton, the same town where her story began on August 9, 1935. While she may have been small in stature, the laughter she left behind is massive.

Jane is now reunited with her beloved husband of 62 years, Dareld Lacey. She was also preceded in death by her parents, William Alex Petree and Mildred Izora Cline, and her brother, Billy Petree Jr.

For over six decades, Jane and Dareld built a life rooted in family and open doors. Jane was the undisputed queen of the kitchen and the heart of a home that never seemed to have a closed door. She was a natural caregiver who believed that "love" was a verb best served as a large meal. Her house was a constant hub of kids, neighbors, and friends, and Jane was never happier than when she was feeding a crowd and making sure everyone’s plate was full.

To her family, she was a firecracker. She lived to laugh and possessed the rare, wonderful talent of making everyone around her laugh even harder. Her grandchildren famously knew her as "Fun Grandma" the woman who was always game for a trip to the flea markets to hunt for treasures or a lively run to the casino to try her luck.

Jane’s vibrant spirit lives on through her family, who will surely continue to tell her stories and share her laughter. She is survived by her children, Terry Cooper, Conover, NC and Tammy Gilliland, Topeka KS and her sisters, Shirley Goble, Topeka, KS and Sue Reynolds (spouse Dennis), Hill City, KS.

Her legacy as the "Fun Grandma" continues through her grandchildren: Lindsey Parker, Brandon Gilliland (spouse Heather), Katelyn Cooper (spouse Parker Feldman), and Kylea Cooper (fiancé Lukas Hart); and her great-grandchildren: Braelynn, Zora, Houston, Nathaniel, Andrew, and Harlee.

Jane’s life was a masterclass in joy, generosity, and not taking things too seriously. While a memorial service will be held at a later date, the family asks that in the meantime, you honor Jane’s memory in the way she would have loved most: share a meal with the ones you love, or drop a few dollars at the casino and hope for a jackpot. She leaves behind a legacy of full bellies, sore ribs from laughing, and a family that will miss her spark every single day. Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Aunt is now rejoicing in Heaven with those that went before her.