Obituaries

Sarah Huss Lantz, age 78, of Lincolnton, went home to be with the Lord on June 23, 2020.  She was born in Lincoln County January 20, 1942 to the late Ervin Lee Huss and Ina Hovis Huss. She was preceded in death by her sister, Emily Huss Goodson.

A graveside service will be held at 11am on Monday, June 29 at Daniels Lutheran Church cemetery.  Reverend David Wyant will be officiating. Mrs. Lantz will lie in state from 11am until 4pm on Sunday, June 28 at Warlick Funeral Home.  The family will not be present.

Mrs. Lantz was educated in Lincoln County Public Schools and graduated from Appalachian State Teacher’s College in 1963 with a double major in Health and PE and Social Studies.  She was president of the Alpha Xi Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary sorority of women educators.  She received a Master’s degree in Library Science from Winthrop College where she was inducted in the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and spent the last twenty years of her career as a Media Specialist before retiring after 35 years.
Sarah enjoyed athletics and was voted “Most Athletic” by her peers at Lincolnton High School where she was named an All-Conference high school basketball player.  She later became coach of the West Lincoln High School Girls basketball team and was named District Coach of the Year in 1967.  In 1997, she was presented with the NC Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance award for distinguished contributions to the professions and by modeling personal and professional behaviors which influenced the lives of the leaders of NCAHPERD.

Sarah was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Lincolnton where she loved being a choir and handbells member and served as President of the United Methodist Women.  Sarah enjoyed being a DAR member where she served as chairman of the American History DAR essay contest and Vice Regent of the local Jacob Forney chapter. She also served as president of the Priscilla Book Club and president of the “Go Go Girls” club.

After her retirement from teaching, Sarah dedicated herself to genealogy research and published the Johann Jacob Hass Genealogy book.  Sarah’s hobbies also included sewing, reading, traveling, and bargain shopping.  She is most remembered by her grandchildren for her famous “Tarheel” ginger cookies and chocolate fudge, cheering them on at sporting events, summer beach vacations, and her super hugs.  She dearly loved her family and treasured grandchildren, and she will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, John Charles Lantz of the home; a daughter, Kimberly Lantz Bowers, and husband Brian of Durham; three grandchildren, Jacob Bowers, Caleb Bowers, and Samuel Bowers; sisters, Dorothy Hodges and husband Mark, Tich Huss; and brothers, Bob Huss and wife Martha, Johnny Huss and wife Elaine.

The family would like to extend thanks to their special caregiver, Jane Workman, for her faithful and loving service as well as the staff of Hospice.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church in her memory.  The address is 201 E. Main Street, Lincolnton, NC, 28092.