Sharon Lantz, 67, of Greeley, Colorado passed into heaven on March 5, 2026.

She was born April 4, 1958, to Willard and Gwen Lantz in Denver. During her childhood years, she enjoyed ballet and playing the violin. After the family briefly relocated to California, they returned to Colorado, settling in La Junta where she began running a mile daily. In junior high, Sharon liked gymnastics and choir, and in high school continued running and singing in the choir and madrigals. She also participated on the speech and debate team, taking top awards at oratorical competitions. Sharon enjoyed horse-back riding and playing various roles in the theatre, including characters from The Princess and the Pea, and The King and I, where she sang solos for the part of Tuptim. She graduated from La Junta High school in 1976 and went on to attend Otero Junior College and later the University of Northern Colorado, where she earned a BS in Gerontology (1985). While attending college, she met and married Tim Saltzman and helped raise her step-daughter, Melissa (now Ava), although they later divorced.

Sharon began working at the UNC Libraries in 1979. Shortly thereafter, she transferred to the UNC Music Library, where she worked with several staff members of the Music Department and supervised and worked alongside music students for nearly 40 years. She had a genuine care and concern for making new people and students feel welcomed and accepted, many times developing life-long relationships with them.

When Sharon wasn’t working, she enjoyed dinners out and movies with friends. She was delighted to sing at weddings and other events, and enjoyed activities with her two nieces. Sharon took her nieces to the park, ice skating and to plays or musicals, and baked cookies with them. She always shared delicious home-cooked meals with family and friends, especially at large holiday gatherings. After retiring, Sharon continued to nurture others, providing part-time care for her grand-niece.

Sharon had a gentle and quiet spirit, a good sense of humor and a gift for connecting with people. She made good use of resources and “made things work,” whether it was at the Music Library or outside of work. She was considerate of others and put their needs above her own. Everywhere she went, she befriended people and shared God’s love. “She was treasured and loved by so many people; it was a pleasure and honor to have known her and been loved by her.” (Former UNC music student) Sharon had a beautiful soul with an abundance of friends. She will be missed by many people.

She is survived by her brother, Jesse Lantz (Alta); sister, Christine Lantz; family, Bobbi Jo Lantz; step-niece, Morgan Kendall and grand-niece, Maddy; and nieces, Samantha and Stevie; grand-nieces, Junie and Emberlynne; nephew, Joshua Kolb (Dana); grand-niece Serenity; grand-nephew, Elija; and step-daughter, Ava; as well as other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the City Lights Church, 7251 W 4th Street in Greeley.

For flowers, please contact Palmer Flowers at 970-226-0200, or in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to TBN Christian Broadcasting Network at 1-877-731-1000.