Dorothy Irene Lacey, 96, of Salina, Kansas, and formerly of Abilene, Kansas, and Warsaw, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Dorothy was born on November 23, 1929, in Ellsworth County, Kansas. She was one of five children born to Hazen L. and Edith (Bailey) Fleming.

She grew up in Ellsworth and graduated from Ellsworth High School. She then attended Fort Hays State University, graduating in 1956 with a degree in Education.

Dorothy was united in marriage to Jerry Dale Lacey on September 22, 1957, in Ellsworth, Kansas.

The couple made their homes in Kimball, Nebraska, and later in Russell, Greensburg, and Geneseo, Kansas. Dorothy spent 17 years as a school teacher before retiring from the profession in Abilene, Kansas in 1972.

She was a member of the Kansas Teachers Association, Kansas National Education Association, and the Dickinson County Historical Society.

Dorothy was also an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church until she was no longer able to attend in person.

Survivors include her nieces and nephews: James Fleming, Edith Fleming, Paul Fleming, Robert Fleming, Diane Mangels, Barbara Holm, Connie Veteto, Suzann Fleming, Jeanine Cooper, Gary Fleming, David Craven, and Michael Craven; as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry Dale Lacey, on November 14, 2002; her brothers, William Fleming, David Fleming, and Edward Fleming; her sister, Mary Alice Craven; her nieces, Lois LaRue, Ruth Fleming; and her nephews, William Fleming and Max Fleming.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 27, at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home & Crematory in Salina, Kansas.

In accordance with Dorothy’s wishes, she will be cremated following the funeral service and later interred in Warsaw, Missouri.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or Gentiva Hospice, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina.

Online condolences may be shared with the family through the funeral home’s website at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home or on its Facebook page.