Lelia Irene Schlabach, DC

– Lelia Irene Esch Schlabach DC, 96, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona. Born February 11, 1926, in Pigeon, Michigan, she was the daughter of Henry and Barbara Esch. She married Abe J. Schlabach in 1947 after graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic and moving to Arizona. Lelia and Abe joined her father’s practice at North Phoenix Chiropractic in 1967. She was still adjusting and caring for patients until age 91.

She was a member of Sunnyslope Mennonite Church from its inception in 1947, serving as teacher, mentor and elder in the church. Her philosophy on life, was to dedicate everything in life to our Lord Jesus Christ. She prayed for family, friends, patients, and strangers. She would openly share the love of the Lord with anyone, as attested to by her patients.

To say she was very involved in the advancement of her profession is an understatement. She served all chairs of the Arizona State Chiropractic Association, ending as president. She was appointed chairman of the Arizona Board of Examiners and served 3 years. She was the first women on Board of Trustees of Palmer College of Chiropractic and a founding member of the Board of Trustees for Palmer West, serving 9 years. She served on multiple committees for both Palmer colleges and was a member of the Sigma Phi Chi Sorority.

She is survived by daughter, Gretchen Krehbiel (Kenneth Krehbiel) and granddaughters, Jessica Gardner (Mason Gardner) and Alyssa Krehbiel. She was preceded in death by son, John Schlabach and husband, Abe J. Schlabach D.C.

The memorial service will be held on December 3rd, 2022 at 4:00 PM at Sunnyslope Mennonite Church, 9835 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020.

Please visit hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.