Obituary of Anna Lakey

Anna “Lorea” Lakey, 94, of Hugo, Colorado passed away at the Lincoln Community Care Center Saturday February 7, 2015. Lorea was born December 11, 1920 in Aurora, Nebraska to Robert and Lela (Wilson) Meredith, she was one of four children. The family moved from Nebraska to Colorado so that they could homestead on the Eastern Plains in Lincoln County. It was important to her father that Lorea was able to get an education and as it often was in that time period, that education came from a one room school in Nebraska Center, Nebraska. Lorea met Leonard Lakey in Hugo, Colorado where he worked at the CCC camp and after a courtship they were married in Aurora, Colorado on July 15, 1939. To this union five children were born; Robert, Patricia, Linda, Deborah and Ron. Lorea was a great cook and put that talent to work as a cook for the Boulder Valley Schools for 8 years. Although cooking was something she enjoyed her real passion was crocheting afghans and sewing. Out of necessity because of the era she grew up and the economics of the time period Lorea learned to sew. She would sew just about anything and was an accomplished seamstress. Lorea made all of her daughter’s wedding gown and bridesmaids dress. She was known around town as someone who did great tailor and hemming work. She loved crocheting afghans for her family and all of her grandchildren were blessed to receive her beautiful work. Lorea also loved to read and had a specific interest in politics which she enjoyed following whenever she was able. Most of all, she loved her family, as a devoted wife, mother, sister and grandmother, family was the most cherished. Lorea was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leonard; one son Ron Lakey; one brother Edward Meredith and sister Maxine Lyons. She is survived by her son, Robert M. (Nancy) Lakey of Phoenix, Arizona; Daughters, Patricia A. (James) Peterson of Hugo, Colorado, Linda L. (Thomas) Helgeson of Billings, Montana and Deborah G. (Allen) Smith of Hugo, Colorado. Also surviving are one sister; Roberta Nigh of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and one brother in-law; Lester Lakey of Golden, Colorado. Lorea is survived by 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.