Peggy Jane (Schroetlin) Lillich

Peggy Jane Lillich was born December 21, 1955 to Harold Michael Schroetlin and Mildred Elma Senn Schroetlin in Loveland, Colorado. She went home to her Lord on April 9, 2017, Palm Sunday, and was buried April 15, the day before Easter.

Peggy was baptized April 1, 1956 at Evangelical United Brethren Church in Loveland by Rev. Charles Bartsch. She was confirmed at Christ United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, Colorado on March 22, 1970 by Rev. Keith Spahr. Her adult Lutheran Confirmation was on June 8, 1975 at Yuma, Colorado by Rev. Gene Krinn.

Her confirmation verse echoes Peggy’s dutiful personality: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24. Peggy was a hard worker who devoted her entire life to her
family and her church.

She attended elementary school in Berthoud, Bennett, and Wellington, Colorado, junior high in Wellington, and three years at Poudre High School in Fort Collins before graduating from Yuma High School on May 21, 1974.

Music was a large part of Peggy’s life. She graduated from Sherwood School of Music in Chicago, an Extension Program for Piano, under the tutelage of Vi Proctor in August 1970. She taught herself to play the organ as an adult and accompanied daughter Tara on the flute many times. She enjoyed playing the organ regularly for services at St. John’s Lutheran Church and also played for the church choir, Sunday School, Yuma Life Care Center, Parrish Care Center, and wherever she was needed.

On June 22, 1975, Peggy married the love of her life, David Lee Lillich, and they settled in a house in Yuma and began working on the farm. Daughter Tara Lee was born on December 28, 1980 and son Mason Keith followed on December 4 1990. When she wasn’t busy working or caring for the children, Peggy used every spare minute to practice her music, update her scrapbook, or tend her garden.

She was a nurse’s aide at Yuma District Hospital 1974-1975, secretary at St. John’s Lutheran Church 1975-1980, and Farm Manager for Lillich Farms from 1980 until her unexpected death.

Peggy served as Assistant Cubmaster for Pack 44 and Committee Chair for Troop 44, and proudly saw Mason attain the rank of Eagle Scout. She dutifully helped with the extensive farm business and books, kids’ homework, garden care, and scouts business.

Peggy had a love of gardening and flowers. She taught Tara how to plant seeds not knowing she would grow up to become a horticulturalist. Peggy grew raspberries at both houses she lived in and made scrumptious desserts with the carefully harvested berries.

A wonderful cook, Peggy was always trying out new recipes. When the hunters came home with a deer or elk she would help them clean it and then make delicious recipes and jerky. She did a lot of canning and often sent tasty lunch boxes to the workers in the field.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law Patricia Ann Sterkel Schroetlin, and brother-in-law Kenneth Dean Lillich.

She is survived by her husband Dave Lillich, daughter Tara Lillich Edelen and husband Ricky, and son Mason Lillich; brothers Fred and wife Sue, John and wife Deb, Jim and wife Linda, and Mark and wife Laura and their families; best friend since 4th grade Deborah Kerbel Turner and her family; plus many other
relatives and friends.

Peggy knew the saving grace of Jesus and leaves us with the peaceful knowledge of her salvation.

The funeral service was held April 15, 2017 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma with Rev. Dennis
Fitzpatrick officiating. Inurnment at Yuma Cemetery the same day. Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.