Sharon Kay Winter

Sharon Kay Winter passed from this life into the arms of Jesus in the early morning hours of February 6, 2025. She left peacefully and let it be known that she was ready to go.  Her faith surpassed many of the saints. Sharon was born October 16, 1947, in Greeley to Eddie F. Winter and Donna Lee Rathbun (Hobbs).  Her growing up years were spent in Greeley and northern Colorado. She attended Cameron Elementary, Meeker Junior High and Greeley Central High School. In 1960, her step-dad, Dairl Hobbs, entered her life and became her Daddy Dairl.  They had a special bond that lasted until his death in 1975. 

In 1964, at the age of 17, Sharon was diagnosed with Wilson’s Disease. At that time, she had been extremely ill and because she was diagnosed so “late” in her life she was left disabled and was given a small margin of recovery.  She began treatment and her life literally turned around. 

In 1967, the family moved to the central coast of California.  Because of her illness and missing so much school, Sharon was not able to graduate with her class.  She then attended night classes at Allen Hancock College and received her GED.  That was a very proud moment, because she was told that would be something she couldn’t accomplish. 

Opportunities were limited for her as far as getting a job outside of the home because of her disabilities and lack of community resources, so Sharon took over most all of the household tasks, cooking, cleaning, laundry, packing lunches, and making delicious baked goods.  She booted her mother out of the kitchen, so mom dedicated herself to making the one-half acre property into a garden showplace.  It worked well, because both were happy. 

Sharon began the hobby of making punch needle rugs.  She finished around 30 of them, and entered them into the local county fairs and festivals winning many ribbons.  She was always be looking for a new pattern to start so she could enter it in the fair that year. 

In 1979, Sharon and her mother and sisters moved to Colorado Springs.  There Sharon had more opportunity for employment because there was bus service and Goodwill Industries was willing to train her.  She worked at Goodwill for several years and then was given the opportunity to work in the cafeteria at Mitchell High School.  She enjoyed the experience and the satisfaction of getting a “real” job.  Sharon was a member of Victory Chapel in Colorado Springs and rarely missed a service.  She volunteered her baked goods for events and sang in the choir.  Her faith became strong and unwavering in that time. 

In 1994, Sharon and her mother settled back in the Greeley area.  She attended His Place Christian Church and the First Assembly of God.  She enjoyed watching preaching and gospel singing on television and was an avid reader of her bible.  Jesus always came first. Sharon cherished every day and was thankful for her life. She knew she was a walking miracle and it radiated in her smile. 

Although Sharon never married or had children, she was dedicated to her nieces and nephews.  Those kids were the apple of her eye and not one had to worry about a diaper change because she was on it.  She would walk the floor with them when they were cranky and spent a lot of time rocking colicky babies. She was Aunt Sharonie to all of them. 

Sharon was preceded in death by her father, mother, and step dad.  She was also preceded by her younger brother Stephen Winter, and older sister Geraldine Walters. She is survived by her sister Peggy Pantoja (Tom), niece Darla Sterling (Coleman), nephew Thomas Pantoja (Sydney), and niece Laura Stening (Rob), as well as four great nieces and a great nephew.  She also leaves her dedicated dog Lilo aka Poopins which was her companion for the past 7 years. 

Services will be held at Adamson’s Life Celebration Home on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 11:00 am.  A visitation will be held prior to the service at 10:30 am. Internment will take place at the Evans Cemetery. 

She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.