Barbara J. Lantz Pearson
August 18, 1934 ~ May 1, 2021
Born in:
Kearney, NE
Resided in:
Broomfield, CO
Barbara J. Lantz Pearson, 86, was born August 18, 1934, to Ray and Effie Lantz, in Kearney, Nebraska, and passed away May 1, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Pearson of Pueblo; sisters, Virginia Algermissen of Marshall, MO and Patricia (and Charles) Acker of Pueblo. She is survived by 2 nieces, 4 nephews and their families.
Barbara’s family moved to Boulder CO in 1945 where she attended public schools. She majored in music education at the University of Colorado at Boulder with emphasis on violin, piano and voice. She began her career teaching elementary strings and orchestra in Rapid City, South Dakota. During her two years there she represented Rapid City in the Miss South Dakota competition and received special recognition for her musical talent. She moved to Ft. Morgan, CO where she initiated and developed their public school string program and subsequently taught for three years. One of the highlights of Barbara’s life was doing post graduate studies at the University of Hawaii at Honolulu. She eventually made her way back to Boulder and was employed as a string specialist for 5 years with the Boulder Valley School District RE2.
Barbara was later teaching in Albuquerque, NM when health problems forced her move to Pueblo. There she began a long career teaching private students and ensembles. She married Warren V. Pearson in 1970, in Rye, CO. The couple resided on Brothers Lane in Pueblo until his death in 2012. They were members of First United Methodist Church. She was living near family in Broomfield, CO at the time of her death.
Barbara’s passion for strings and orchestra was evident throughout her life. She volunteered as a string specialist for District 60 Middle Schools from 2000 -2005 and continually wrote letters to the Pueblo Chieftain and to the District 60 School Board and Administration advocating for the support of strings and orchestra opportunities for the children of Pueblo.
A private memorial service will be held at the time of burial in Kearney, NE. Online condolences, www.MontgomerySteward.com
To Cassie, Lance, Ellis and Emily, nieces and nephews of Barbara Lantz Pearson, children of Patricia Lantz Acker;
Your Aunt Barbara was my violin mentor when I first began my teaching career in Pueblo 1970-73.
I was assigned to five elementary District 60 southside schools- Carlile, Lincoln, Jefferson, Columbian and Central Grade.
In those years children in the fourth grade could begin a string instrument, as there were lots of half and three quarter size violins to rent from the district or music stores. Though I’d played cello in elementary school, and had a year of string class in college at S.C.S.C. in Pueblo as a music major, the string family was not my strong suit.
I really wanted to do well and give those youngsters a good foundation. Barbara was an inspiration to me, and of course to her private students. She held well attended recitals, and taught her students so much more than what most beginners would be introduced to.
Oh boy did those kids perform!! Precision, polish, and perfection at each performance!
All of her string players were expected to put together a scrapbook about the life of a famous musician. Those would be on display at the recitals, and the children were proud of their music history and appreciation they’d gained with this extension of the weekly music lessons.
Any time I was teaching orchestra or beginning strings in another school district, in another city or state, I could give Barbara a call or stop by her home and she would offer sage advice about building my string programs.
She helped me in so many ways to become a better music teacher. For that I remained grateful throughout my career.
My sympathy is extended to you four and your families. I know you all love music, participated in it, and one of you choose it as your career. I bet your Aunt Barbara had something to do with that!!
Fondest memories,
Suellen Levy
I have fond memories of my friendship with Barbara from 1959 to 1962. We taught music together in Ft. Morgan. I spent many happy times visiting her in Boulder at her family home. My sympathy to the family.
Carolyn Walton Rosse’