Wright, Lauren W. 1905-1997

WRIGHT, DARLAND, PETERSON, CUMMINGS, MERNIN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 12/27/2013 at 15:11:07

The Montezuma (IA) Republican
July 23, 1997

LAUREN W. WRIGHT, 91

Lauren Wesley Wright, 91, of Montezuma, died July 13, 1997 at the Montezuma Senior Home.

Funeral services were July 17, 1997 at the Watts Funeral Home in Montezuma. Officiating the service was Rev. Emmanuel Tabelisma. Music was "Beyond the Sunset" and "In the Garden." Mr. Darrell Brand was the soloist and Miss Alice Underwood was the organist. Casket bearers were Marvin Blain, Rob Cummings, Louis Peterson, Jim Fisk, Lynn Carl and Bill Peterson. Burial will be at the Masonic-IOOF Cemetery in Montezuma.

Lauren was born August 5, 1905 in Barnes City, the son of Joseph and Elsie (Darland) Wright. Mr. Wright attended school in Montezuma and Santa Cruz, California. He excelled in football and received a football scholarship to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. During the late 20's he served two enlistments in the Iowa Army National Guard Horse Calvary. He worked in Idaho and Utah as a surveyor for AT&T and later for Poweshiek County. He married Ruth Peterson on November 2, 1931 in Montezuma. Lauren also worked as a baker in California and later in Story City. Then during World War II he worked as a tool and die maker for Ryan Aircraft in San Diego, Calif. Returning to Montezuma, he was co-owner with Perry Pribble in the International Harvester dealership.

However, Lauren's primary life's work and love focused on his farming. He pioneered many early experimental crops for Iowa State College, some of which were hybrid seed corn, crown vetch, birdfoots trefoil and prairie grasses. He provided areas and planted trees for pheasant, partridge and other wildlife. Lauren received numerous awards and recognition for his pioneering in farming and conservation practices. He served many years at the county and township levels with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Commission and the Soil Conservation Service.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Peterson Wright; his parents and step-father, Joseph Wright, Elsie Wright Benton and Robert Benton; and a brother Joseph Wright.

Lauren is survived by a daughter, Harriett Cummings Mernin of Gulf Breeze, Fla., two sons, Joseph Wright of Salt Lake City, Utah and Steven Wright of Huntington, W. Va.; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and other relatives and many friends.

Burial was in Masonic-IOOF Cemetery in Montezuma.

Memorials can be made to Montezuma United Methodist Church.