WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Alma Jean Lucas, 91, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023.  She was born Sept. 20, 1932 at home on the Runestad family ranch outside Highmore, South Dakota, to John A. and Amelia C. (Hale) Runestad.  She graduated from Mitchell High School in Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1950.

Alma obtained her teaching certificate from the Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD and taught for one year at Banner School, a rural school in northern Hyde County, SD, prior to her first marriage to Donald Wilson on Dec. 23, 1950.  They divorced in 1971.  Don and Alma had six children.  Alma was a stay at home mother for many years and returned to the workforce as a teacher's aide in the White Cloud, MI public school system.  Alma attended Ferris State College in Big Rapids, MI to obtain a degree in Library Sciences.  She was the White Cloud Elementary School librarian for many years.  Alma married Edward Lucas on Nov. 23, 1978, enlarging her family with Ed's five children.  After her marriage to Ed, she moved to Grand Rapids, MI and worked at General Electric.  She continued her education at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids as a part time student.  Ed and Alma later moved to Pflugerville, TX.  Alma continued her working career and her education part time at Concordia University.  She volunteered time in the library at Concordia University.  After Ed's death in 1985, she worked at a BMW dealership in Austin and eventually worked for the Health and Human Services Department of the State of Texas.  She worked for the State of Texas until her retirement.

After Ed's death, Alma needed more activities to fill her time.  She was a very active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and volunteered at the homeless soup kitchen in Austin. They presented her an apron the volunteers signed wishing her well in her retirement.  She also joined Colorado Pathways, an international walking club.  She made lifelong friends and had many walking adventures with her local club in Austin.  She volunteered at the University of Texas as an usher and enjoyed many shows and events.

After retiring, she moved to Hudsonville, MI.  She joined the Bread of Life Lutheran Church and served on several committees for the church, for example the Building Committee and Pastor Search.   In addition, she supported many activities for the church – weekly bulletin preparations, cleaning and she wrote stories for the church bulletin to introduce new church members and their families.  She baked fresh bread and presented it to these families.  Alma also volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Georgetown Township, MI for a number of years.

After her retirement, Alma worked as an auxiliary employee for the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). She was deployed to numerous declared emergencies throughout the United States.

She joined the local Colorado Pathways walking club in the Grand Rapids, MI area. She made many new walking friendships and traveled with them to Alaska, Hawaii and several other states.  She didn't quite make her goal of walking in all 50 states, but she came close at around 35 states.

Alma took great pride in her family and enjoyed her adventures with them, trips across the country for family activities and a special trip to Norway.  She is survived by her children, Wayne and Donne Williams of Wakefield, MI; Fred and Cindy Littich of Topeka, KS; Tom and Joyce Alger of Grant, MI; Gene and Janice Wilson of Irene, SD; Rick and Rea Britten of Sayner, WI; John and Janelle Wilson of Cosmos, MN; Kari Lucas; Chuck Lucas of Aurora, CO; Kim Lucas and Carl Roberts of Portland, CO; Chris and Maria Lucas, Ionia, MI.  Alma had 23 grandchildren, Chris and Michelle Williams of Vanderbilt, MI; Matt and Nicole Williams of Boyne City, MI; Eric and Amelia Fettig of Petoskey, MI; Henry and Kate Littich of Lindsborg, KS; Jason and Sarah Mack of Topeka, KS; Chris and Jenny Bieber of Goddard, KS; Brad and Emily Szopinski of Topeka, KS; Fred and Candace Littich of Meriden, KS; Joe and Jamie Littich of Riverside, MO; Sam and HaeYoung Littich of Aurora, CO; Brandy Bell of Big Rapids, MI; Chester Alger of Grant, MI; Eric and Jennie Wilson of Arvada, CO; Roger and Alysia Wilson of Gayville, SD; Carly Wilson of Westminster, CO; Jeff and Leslie Blom of Atwater, MN; Junior Blom of Hutchinson, MN; David and Sarah Blom of Atwater, MN; Devin Blom of Cosmos, MN; Jeff and Anna Halls of Cosmos, MN, Cooper Roberts of Portland, OR;  43 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Judy Runestad of Boone, IA; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward Lucas; three brothers, Melvin Runestad, Jay Runestad and John and his wife, Sharon Runestad; a sister, Genevieve "Maxine" and her husband, Wayne Wilson; two grandsons, Troy Littich and Bryan Alger; and a great-grandson, Cody Allen.

Alma's family wishes to thank the caring staff in the Comfort Zone at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

As with her wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service to celebrate Alma's life will be held at the Bread of Life Lutheran Church in Hudsonville, MI at a future date.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.