Lucille "Lucy" A. Dater

Lucille (Lucy) Agnes Dater, age 91 of Littleton, Colorado. Passed away peacefully Saturday, March 4, 2023. She was born December 11, 1931 in Antonino, Kansas to loving parents Clements and Regina (Ashenbrenner) Dater. She was one of 9 children. She was a sister to Stephan, Joseph, Irene, John, Mary, Celestine, Clarence and Jerome. All have preceded her in death.

Lucy grew up on a farm in Antonino, Kansas. As a teenager, she walked 1.5 miles to and from the neighboring farm to babysit for her aunt. She and her siblings slept in the attic of their own farmhouse. She attended Ellis County Public Schools and graduated High School with academic honors.

She was employed from 1947 to 1948 at Kessler Cleaning Company, 1948 to 1951 Velma’s Café, 1951 to 1955 Wichita Eagle Newspaper, 1957 to 1964 Schimmel Hotel, 1969 to 1976 San Jose Mercury News, 1979 to 1993 she was employed at a printing company in Denver, Colorado before retiring in 1993.

She was born and lived in Antonino Kansas, and later moved to Wichita, Kansas. She moved to San Jose, California in 1969. In 1979 she moved to Denver to make Colorado her permanent residence and later in 2020 moved to Littleton, Colorado.

Lucy loved baseball, especially the Colorado Rockies. She was also a big fan of football, in particular the Denver Broncos. Her passion was exploring her family tree and looking into her ancestry. Genealogy was an important pastime for Lucy. She was able to track the Ashenbrenner family back to the 1600’s – all without the aid of computers. She continually looked for ways to track the Daters, but the immigration records proved to be a stumbling block, due to differences in recording the spelling of the last name and issues with getting information from the other side of the Iron Curtain.

She would say that she had no regrets or disappointments in life and she lived her life to the fullest. Lucy had a sarcastic sense of humor. Those who knew her well, understood when she was joking around and were never offended. She was kind and giving, but hesitant to show her tender side.

She leaves behind Brother-in-law; Frank Malizia, age 101, of Pennsylvania; Sister-in-law; Carol Jane Dater, age 85, of Colorado; Nephews; Paul Dater, of Colorado, David Dater, of Colorado, Terry and (Debbie) Dater, of Colorado; Steve and (Barb) Dater, of Colorado, Johnny and (Karen) Dater, of Kansas, Roger Dater, of Kansas and Kevin Dater, of Kansas; Nieces: Carol and (Robert) Malizia-Giering, of Pennsylvania, Kim Malizia, of Pennsylvania, Joyce and (Earl) Mosley, of Colorado, Rebecca Dater, of Colorado, Debbi and (Ken) Wright, of Kansas, Faith White, of Kansas, Robyn and (Allen) Bassinger, of Utah and Dawn and (James) Jodry, of Kansas. Lucy is also survived by a multitude of great and great-great nephews and nieces.

She is preceded in death by her loving parents; and all 8 of her brothers and sisters. She was the last of her siblings to pass away.

The family would like to express our gratitude to Casey & Erika Leno, and all of the ThriveCare staff for providing our beloved Aunt Lucy with a wonderful home, home-cooked meals, medical and emotional care, and for being kind and knowledgeable caregivers. A special thank you goes to Pauletta Thomas, one of Lucy's many great caregivers. Pauletta was a special friend to Lucy. There are not enough words to express the family’s appreciation to the entire ThriveCare establishment. Amy from Rocky Mountain Senior Care provided Lucy’s medical care, and for that we are grateful. We would also like to thank Elevation Hospice for ensuring that Lucy had a peaceful transition from this world to the next.

Lucy's love of baseball was legendary. Were she here, we know she would be saying “LET’S PLAY BALL!”

A memorial service for Lucille will be held Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, 8600 East Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231.