A dear and cherished husband to Lois (Broady) Lacey and Karen (Rippe) Haughton, father of five daughters, grandfather to nine and great grandfather to 19, Clifford “Cliff” Lacey, Jr. passed away on August 5, 2023, at Pemberly Place in Lincoln, NE. “Junior”, as he was known in his hometown of Tecumseh, NE was born on March 7, 1934. He was the first-born child of Clifford Sr. and Helen (Illyes) Lacey. Junior grew up in the years of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl and World War 2. Along with everyone else, he learned to “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without”. This spirit would serve him well throughout his lifetime.

Junior attended school in Tecumseh. School was always followed by work where Junior would pump gas, clean windshields and work on engines at his Dad- Standard Oil Gas Station. He inherited his love for nice cars from his dad. For his 16th birthday, he received a black 1934 Chevy. It was this same car that Junior drove to pick up his high school sweetheart, Lois Broady. They married soon after graduating from Tecumseh High School on July 5, 1952. Their first home was in Graf, NE where Junior helped Arnold Broady with the family farm and worked for Roberts’ Dairy. Five daughters were born.

The young family moved to a home in Tecumseh where Cliff- “jack-of-all-trades” skills served well. A position with Campbell- Soup was followed by what would become Cliff- 33-year career with People- Natural Gas. The family was transferred by the company to Wayne and Louisville, eventually ending up in Humboldt, NE which to this day the girls refer to as their hometown.

Cliff was a guy that people liked to be around - he was fun! At a table of strangers, he could create conversation and make friends. Throughout his life, he was active in the community. The family were members of St. John Lutheran Church. While in Humboldt, Cliff was elected to the school board, city council and Housing Authority Board. He was an active member of the Lion- Club and Chamber of Commerce. In 1992, he was honored by the residents of Humboldt and surrounding areas when he was elected as “King of Richardson County”. Cliff and Lois were active participants and contributors in the development of Kirkman- Cove and golf course outside of Humboldt. Active and sincere in their Christian Faith, Cliff and Lois were members of the Faith Lutheran Church.

Five girls and five weddings resulted in the sons that Cliff never had and they held a special place in Cliff- life and heart. Cliff and his five “sons” had a great time together - early morning golf, playing cards and fishing. As the grandchildren were born, they became the center of attention. Holidays, birthdays, the Humboldt fair, confirmations and baptisms meant at least a day, often the weekend at “Mom and Dad-” with the family home filled to the rafters.

As “empty nesters”, in addition to time spent with family, Cliff and Lois loved to golf, camp, fish and play cards. Cliff- sister and brother-in-law, Nadine and Terry Roberts, were two of the most special people in their lives and many trips were planned to bridge the distance between them.

After 33 years with Peoples Natural Gas, Cliff and Lois made plans to retire at age 59. Those plans ended before they could begin with Lois’ sudden death on August 28, 1994.

He sold the family home and moved back to Tecumseh. During this time, Cliff met Karen (Rippe) Haughton. They were married December 2, 2000, at St. John Lutheran Church in Tecumseh and made their home in Sterling, NE. Karen became a beloved member of the Lacey Clan until her death on May 9, 2006.

Cliff was blessed to meet Theoma Pope of Tecumseh and enjoyed a twelve-year relationship together until her death on November 20, 2017.

As Cliff- health and mobility decreased, he made the difficult decision to sell his Sterling home and move back to Tecumseh. There he created a home for himself and his cat, Joy.

Cliff- last months included his decision to move to Lincoln and assisted living at Pemberly Place. During the last days and weeks of Cliff- life, he received amazing care and comfort from Traditions Hospice Care and the wonderful skilled and caring staff at Pemberly Place.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford Sr. and Helen (Illyes) Lacey; his wife and mother of his children, Lois (Broady) Lacey; his second wife, Karen (Rippe Haughton) Lacey; and his daughter, Cheryl Ann (Hayes).

He is survived by daughters, Pam (Tom) Usher of Grand Island, Carol (Roger) Glathar of Humboldt; Chris (Joel) Geyer; Sandy (Bryan) Hanson; and Son-In-Law David Hayes of Buckeye, AZ. Stepchildren include Tim (Janine) Haughton of Adams, NE and Jennifer (Mitch) Bartholomew of York, NE. Surviving siblings are Nadine (Terry) Roberts of Escondido, CA and Charles “Chuck” (Becky) Lacey of Wahoo, NE. Grandchildren include Greg (Sheila) Glathar of Unadilla, NE; Ryan (Andrea) Hayes of North Platte, NE; Alan (Joanna) Usher of Grand Island; Amy (Beau) Bartlett of Lincoln, NE; Jeff (Jill) Hanson of Colorado Springs, CO; Scott (Shannon) Usher of Colorado Springs, CO; Drew (Tanaya) Hayes of Alliance, NE; Lacey (Shane) Peed of Lincoln, NE; Kate (Tate) Johnson of Lincoln, NE. Step-grandchildren include Lacey and Tyler Haughton. There were 19 great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 11, 2023 at the St. John's Lutheran Church, Tecumseh, Nebraska with Rev. Marcel Kohlmeyer officiating. The service will also be livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary Facebook page for those unable to attend.

A register book will be available for signatures from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, August 10, 2023 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Inurnment will be in the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the St. John's Lutheran Church, Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.