Lucille Elizabeth Lucas, 85, passed away Thursday, December 6, 2018, in Overland Park KS. Visitation and funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 15th at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd St in Overland Park KS, where she was a member for the last thirty-three years. Visitation begins at 10:00am, and the Funeral will follow at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Catholic Community Hospice, 9740 West 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212.
Lucille was preceded in death by her brothers, Hubert & Gerald, her first husband, Ray Hutton, and second husband Bill Lucas.
She is survived by her sister, Celeste Hill and her husband, Ed, sister in law, Carolyn Bettels, her son, Don Hutton and his wife, Lea Anne Hutton, two granddaughters, April Hutton and Samantha Hutton. Lucille’s stepfamily includes Bill’s children: Gary Lucas, Marilyn & Jim Gorman, Tom and Donna Lucas, Bill Lucas, Bob & Kristina Lucas, and Debra & Mike Coones, as well as ten grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren.
Lucille was born June 24,1933 in Montrose MO, the first daughter of Andrew & Adelia Bettels. Lucille spent her early years growing up on a farm with no running water or electricity, but plenty of fun and lots of chores to do with her brothers, Hubert & Gerald, and younger sister, Celeste. When she graduated from the Montrose High School in 1951, Lucille was eager to leave her farm days behind her, and took a job opportunity working at the First National Bank in Topeka KS working as a bank teller, where she met Ray Hutton. They decided to merge their assets and were married in April of 1962. They welcomed their first son, Don, in 1964, but lost their second child, Eddie, who died when he was only a few days old. As time passed, Ray developed emphysema, hoping that a drier climate would help his condition, the family moved briefly to Las Cruces NM. They eventually returned to the Midwest, and after a long battle with his illness, Ray passed away in 1982.
Lucille returned to the banking industry as a teller at the Mission Bank, where she met her second husband, Bill Lucas. Bill and Lucille shared a lot in common, both having lost a spouse, both still having a young adult at home, and both sharing the Catholic Faith. The couple were immediately drawn to each other sharing a love of family and friends. They combined their interests and their families and were married at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in 1985. Lucille and Bill both loved to travel and together they visited all fifty states, and several sites around the world. One of Lucille’s fondest memories was being able to ride an elephant in Thailand. They spent their winters a little closer to home in Destin FL, and Horseshoe Bay TX, where they owned a condo for several years. Unfortunately, Lucille lost her second husband, Bill, when he passed away in 2003.
Lucille relocated to a smaller condo after Bill’s death, and continued to inspire her family by moving through her grief and jumping back into life. She kept busy by volunteering, decorating, playing bridge, attending senior dances, and making new friends along the way. Lucille will be remembered for her love of life, her love for her family, the many family events she hosted, her dedication in caring for her spouses, and her inspirational and optimistic attitude to always find the best in everyone she met.