Marci Marie Sanders

Marci Marie Sanders, 58, of Sterling, Colorado, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, September 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Oiye as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Marci was born August 8, 1968, in Wichita, Kansas, to Everett and Barbara Moreland. Burlington, Colorado, however, was her home throughout childhood. She grew up there alongside her brother, Landon, graduated from Burlington High School in 1986, and later earned a degree in education at University of Northern Colorado—a choice that shaped much of the life that followed.

Marci married Rob Sanders, and together they welcomed two sons, Trevor and Trent. Of all the roles Marci held in her life, few meant more to her than being a mother. She was incredibly proud of both of her boys and the men they became. She celebrated their accomplishments as if they were her own and was especially proud to see Trent recently earn his technology certification, an accomplishment she was grateful to celebrate with him. Marci was the mom who never missed an event, who worried because she cared so deeply, and whose comfort and advice were always only a call away. She made holidays feel special and traditions worth keeping.

That same generosity of spirit followed Marci into her life’s work as an educator. She began her career teaching in Weslaco, Texas, before returning to Colorado, where she served students and families in Cheyenne Wells, Hayden, and Brush. Over the years, she taught children from preschool through junior high in elementary education, social studies, and language arts before becoming an elementary school counselor in Brush until her retirement.

The schools changed, the communities changed, and Marci’s roles changed, but the heart she brought to work did not. She had a gift for seeing the person in front of her—not simply the student. She believed in young people, encouraged them, and made them feel that they mattered. Many of the relationships she formed with students and colleagues grew into friendships that continued long after they had left her classroom or school. Her influence lives on in students who knew someone believed in them, colleagues who became friends, and families who knew their children were genuinely cared for.

After her marriage to Rob ended, Marci began a new chapter of her life when she met Jack Schneider. Jack doted on Marci, and they built a life that brought them both great happiness on Jack’s family farm outside Sterling. Marci often summed it up simply: “The farm life is the happy life.”

She loved the animals who shared that life. She especially loved her dog, Dobby, whose loss a year before her passing was deeply felt. She delighted in her miniature horses and her llama, Bruce, and visiting and feeding them each day became one of the small rituals that made farm life so dear to her. Jack gave Marci a wonderful second chapter, and in return she filled their life together with the warmth, energy, and love that she brought wherever she went.

Marci had a remarkable ability to make a house feel like a home, changing the décor several times a year, transforming the house with the holidays and the seasons. Each change was another way of celebrating the moment and making the farm a true home. She also loved to travel and traveled extensively with her children and friends. She was always ready for another trip and another memory to make. Whether she was far from home on an adventure or back on the farm surrounded by family, friends, and animals, Marci found her greatest happiness in sharing life with others.

She especially loved hosting family holidays, filling her home with food, laughter, decorations, and traditions. For Marci, those gatherings were never really about the meal or the holiday. They were about the people. Throughout her life, she created places where the people she loved could come together—where her door was open, her table had room, and everyone knew they belonged.

Marci is survived by her husband, Jack Schneider; her son, Trent Sanders; her parents, Everett and Barbara Moreland; her brother, Landon Moreland; and many extended family members, friends, former students, and colleagues who love her and will deeply miss her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Trevor Sanders.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Marci’s memory to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.