Lucille Schlabaugh

Lucille “Lu” Schlabaugh, age 97, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2025, at Arbor View Senior Living in Arvada, Colorado.  She was born on February 6, 1928 in Mason City, Nebraska to Merle and Minnie (Nielson) Fairfield.  Lu was one of four children including brother, George, sister Frances Irene and half-brother, Robert Fairfield. Later, the family moved to Kearney, Nebraska, where Lu and her siblings grew up.

As a young woman, Lu relocated to northern California, living in San Francisco and San Jose.  At the age of 22, while attending night classes at San Jose City College, Lu met Anne and Jim Cartoni and became a dear and lifelong friend of the Cartoni Family.   Lu ultimately settled in Sacramento where she was employed by the County of Sacramento as an eligibility worker for many years until her retirement.  

On Nov. 12, 1998, Lu married retired long-haul truck driver and pilot, Robert Schlabaugh, in Sacramento, after which they settled in his home in Arvada, Colorado.  After Bob’s passing in 2005, Lu remained in the house on W. 53rd Avenue, until moving to Arbor View Senior Living in 2023. 

Lucille enjoyed shopping for bargains, going to church, participating in Bible Study and attending Christian Women’s monthly luncheons with friends.  She especially enjoyed reading.  Her numerous bookcases were overflowing with books about the Christian faith, many stuffed with her hand-written notes relevant to their contents.  

Lu is survived by four nephews, Terry Fairfield of Lincoln, Nebraska, Bill Fairfield of Omaha, Nebraska, Don Bigelow of Arizona and Steven Bigelow of Cypress, California, as well as four stepchildren and their families, Cheri Hopkins of Towner, Colorado, Gary (Margaret) Schlabaugh of Anchorage, Alaska; Terry (Joanna) Schlabaugh of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Larry (Patty) Schlabaugh of The Villages, Florida. 

Lu’s loved ones wish to express their sincere appreciation to her cherished and indispensable friends and neighbors, as well as to the staff of Arbor View Senior Living, whose excellent and loving care made Lu truly feel at home these last years of her life.

A graveside service will be held  Thursday May 22, 2025 at 10AM at Olinger-Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.