Chester O. "Chet" Lacy

Lacy, Chester O. "Chet" Age 93, Hopkins, MN, died peacefully Feb. 27, surrounded by loving family members. Chet was born in Duluth, MN, and attended Duluth Junior College where he was editor of the Zenith City Collegian newspaper. He majored in public relations at the U of M while writing for the Duluth News Tribune. During World War II as captain his posts included P. R. officer at Fort Snelling, Gen. MacArthur's HQ in Brisbane, AUS, and 5th Army/Air Force Clark Field, Tokyo. After the war, Chet helped establish Sr. Elizabeth Kenny's program and Minneapolis War Memorial Blood Bank. In positions at Hamline University, the University of Chicago, St. Olaf College, and Moorhead State University Chet worked in P.R., alumni development and was assistant to the president. His innovative programs were awarded state and national citations. He was a lifelong member of Rotary Club. In Minneapolis he volunteered as P.R. chairman in the Junior Chamber of Commerce. In Perham he established the Northland News Feature Service, and was feature writer and photographer for numerous newspapers in northern Minnesota including Perham Enterprise Bulletin and Contact newspapers. Chet wrote hundreds of feature articles for MN newspapers as the Lacys traveled abroad. In Sun City West, AZ, Chet was a staff writer and photographer for The Wester, served on the P.R. board of the AZ Westside Food Bank organizing its P.R. committee, and was one of three founders of AZ Ex-PRESS Club. Chet was preceded in death by: parents Rollo and Estella (Field); siblings Stanley, Vera and Claire; and first wife Marjorie (Stake). He is survived by: wife of 40 years Florence (Drahmann); children Thomas, Janice, and Robert "Bob"; step-children Stephanie and Vincent Harnick; grandchildren Mark (Rebecca) and Natalie (Chris); and great-grandchildren Jessica, Alexander and Zachary. Memorial service will be Thursday, March 12, 11:00 AM at St. Therese SW Terraces Chapel, 901 Feltl Ct., Hopkins. Washburn-McReavy Strobeck Johnson Chapel 952 938-9020

This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.