Obituary of Lillian Schaefer

Lillian Schaefer passed on January 23, 2022 to be with her Heavenly Father and her late husband, Edwin.  Lillian was born to Jacob and Katie (Deutscher) Croissant on February 28, 1931.  She graduated from Buckingham High School in 1948 along with one other classmate.  She went on to graduate from the Greeley Beauty School in 1950.  Lillian’s three daughters can attest to her beauty skills having endured the tightest pony tails and the longest-lasting pin curl bangs.

Lillian married Edwin C. Schaefer on August 20, 1950 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she was still a member at the time of her passing.  She and Edwin were married for 65 years and had three daughters.  They farmed northwest of Greeley for 50 years.  Lillian was first and foremost a farmer’s wife, a mother, and a home-maker.   She worked along-side Edwin on the farm by driving a truck during sugar-beet and corn harvest, while always having a hot, home-cooked meal on the supper table.         

Upon retiring, Lillian and Edwin moved to Greeley where they resided and she lovingly cared for Edwin during his years of heart disease.  Lillian epitomized the meaning of a loving mother and her daughters, grand, and great-grandchildren realize they were beyond blessed to have her in their lives.  As well, everyone who met Lillian will remember her for her kindness, her smile, her sparkling blue eyes and her gift of gab.  She also belonged to the church quilting group for 15 years, crafting many lap quilts for the sick, shut-ins, and members of the congregation. 

Lillian is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Edwin; and two brothers, Elvin and Theodore Croissant. 

She is survived by three daughters, Carolyn (Byron) Keirnes of Fort Myers, Florida; Charlene (Charles) Winter of Eaton, Colorado; and Carrie (Ronald) Randolph of Greeley, Colorado.  Four grandchildren, Katie Winter of Greeley, Colorado; Molly (Matt) Grubbs of Fort Myers, Florida; Gabe (Hayley) Winter of Eaton, Colorado and Dr. Hannah Lovejoy of Nashville, Tennessee.  Lillian adored her great-grandchildren, Adaline, Alyson, Cora, Emma, Kacey, Kale and namesake, Lillian.

The family wishes to thank the NCMC staff for their compassionate care of Lillian and the staff at Grace Pointe Senior Care Community where she resided. 

Lillian’s Life Celebration will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1800 21^st Avenue, Greeley, Colorado with a reception to follow.  Private family interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens.  For the safety of family members and friends with health issues, they kindly request that masks be worn at the service.  Services will also be live streamed via the Our Savior’s website. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to “Our Savior’s Lutheran Church” in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47^th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.  Friends may leave condolences at AdamsonCares.com.