Eugene "Gene" Wright 1923 - 2008

WRIGHT, LAWLER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/28/2019 at 16:11:00

Sioux City Journal
11 December 2008

ANTHON, Iowa -- Gene Wright, 85, of Anthon died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at his residence.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Anthon, with the Rev. Terry Roder officiating. Burial will be in Mount St Joseph Catholic Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion McNiss Post 389 of Anthon. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with the family present 5:30 to 7 p.m. and a vigil wake service at 7 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, all at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Armstrong Funeral Home in Anthon.

Eugene "Gene" Wright was born Jan. 24, 1923, in New Providence, Iowa, the son of Samuel and Ethel Wright. He grew up in the New Providence area and attended school there. Soon after graduating, he was called to serve in World War II. After basic training, he was sent to the European Theater to serve in four campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he came home to start farming in the New Providence area.

On Feb. 10, 1948, he was united in marriage to Arlene Agnes Lawler. They farmed a short time near New Providence before moving to a farm near Anthon, where they have lived until the present time.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he served as a lay director for several years. He was a member of the Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and received the Honorary Degree in 1992. He formed the Woodbury County Cattlemen's Association and served in the Iowa Cattlemen's board of directors for several years. He was a caring father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a friend to many people. He will be remembered forever.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene of Anthon; five children, Keith Wright of Anthon, Robert Wright of Mapleton, Iowa, Carma and Jon Manns of Lake Charles, La., Deb and Stan Todd of Cushing, Iowa, and Sandy and Bill Ortner of Danbury, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, Skylar (John) Larson, Brad and Brady Wright, Paul, Whitney and Jeff Manns, Travis (Tara) Todd, Ashley (Jeff) Diediker, Emily and Ethan Todd, Steve (Jillian) Ortner and Carrie and Lisa Ortner; two great-grandchildren, Devin Todd and Jack Diediker; a brother, James (Hazel) Wright; and two sisters-in-law, Ethel Wright and Jeanie Wright.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Anthony Lee Wright; a grandson, Nathan Todd; and siblings, Hazel (Rufus) Hoelscher, Jesse Wright and Kenneth Wright.