WRIGHT, Donald R. 1921-2002

WRIGHT, DONALDSON, GRAY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/19/2009 at 19:20:42

DONALD R. WRIGHT

OSAGE, IOWA - Donald R. Wright, 80, of Osage, died Saturday, March 9, 2002, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage, with the Rev. Christian F. Gugel officiating. Interment will be in the Osage Cemetery. Military rites at the grave will be conducted by the Osage American Legion Post 278.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage and one hour before services at the church.

Don was born April 1, 1921, in Mason City, the son of Herbert A. and Susan (Donaldson) Wright. He attended school in Mason City, and was employed at Decker's packing plant.

Don was united in marriage to Alice Gray on June 20, 1942, in Mason City. In October 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and trained at Ft. Warren, Wyoming; Ft. Lewis, Washington; Camp Claiborne, Louisiana; and in Wales. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers in Wales, England, and France for 36 months.

Upon his return to Mason City, he was employed at Arnold's Auto Repair. In 1947, the family, along with the Claus Clausen family, moved to Osage and formed the partnership of Claus and Don's Auto Repair, which, after two years, became Don's Auto Repair until 1992 when Don retired.

Don was a confirmed member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Osage, a member of the Osage American Legion Post 278, and a life member of the Osage V.F.W. Post 7920.

Don was a pilot and enjoyed flying his plane. Camping was Don and Alice's passion, and during their 52 years of marriage they visited all 50 states. Don enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by three daughters, Suzanne Johnson and her husband, Keith, of Mantorville, Minn., Donette Newhouse and her husband, Leslie, of Mt. Horeb, Wis., Linda Moore and her husband, Jerry, of Osage; one son, Herbert Wright and his wife, Barbara, of Osage; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Rose Dawson, of Mason City; and one brother-in-law, Chester Rounds, of Mason City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alice; one sister, Genevieve Rounds; and one brother, Lester Dawson.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, (641) 732-3706.

[Mason City Globe Gazette]