Clara Wright

clara wright
DUE TO WEATHER Visitation and Funeral Services have been changed to Thursday and Friday Clara L. Wright, age 87 of Nashua, Iowa died Saturday, December 5, 2009, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in New Hampton. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2009 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa with Pastor James Mann officiating. Betty Orric will be the organist with Janice Edson as vocalist. Songs for the service will be, “In The Garden” and 'Amazing Grace”. Janice Edson will sing, “O‘ Holy Night“ and “Silver Bells”. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua with Kent Geffe, Larry Wright, Jim Wright, Arvan Haase, Larry Usher and Robert Usher as casketbearers. Honorary casketbearer will be Lynn Geffe. Friends may call 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday, December 10th at the Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Nashua. Further visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Clara Leona Wood was born May 13, 1922, in Aiken, Minnesota. She was the 9th (by just a few minutes) of 10 children born to E.O. and Jessie Wood. After attending elementary school in Minnesota, the family moved to Iowa where she graduated from Nashua Community School. After attending Iowa Teaching College, Clara was awarded her first teaching position at a Chickasaw County Country School. She was married to Raymond Wright July 18, 1943, in a double wedding ceremony with her twin sister Clarice at the Little Brown Church. Clara and Raymond had three children; Vicki Jo, Jacquelyn, and Kevin. Clara continued teaching as a substitute teacher for 12 years while the children were young, earned her B.S. in English from Wartburg College, and did some graduate work at UNI. She accepted an elementary teaching position from Plainfield Community School, retiring after 34 years of teaching. For her dedication and passion for teaching, she received the Teacher Recognition Award for outstanding contribution in the field of education. Clara also enjoyed teaching Sunday School at the Little Brown Church for years. Her Sunday School parties, particularly the infamous scavenger hunts, were thoroughly enjoyed by her students. During retirement she volunteered for AARP speaking to school children on the association of cancer with nutrition. Clara and Raymond enjoyed traveling to Colorado to visit Kevin and his family, and especially enjoyed spending time with their two grandchildren, Benjamin and Laura, who lit up their lives. They loved watching Jacki coach basketball and softball at Wapsie Valley and Luther College. Clara is survived by her daughter Jacquelyn Wright of Decorah; her son, Kevin Wright and Laurie Smith of Carbondale, Colorado; grandchildren, Benjamin Wright of Gunnison, Colorado and Laura Wright of Seattle, Washington. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Vicki Jo; nine siblings, Glenn Wood, Roy Wood, Elmer Wood, Zula Fulton, Eva Mulling, Lena Bischoff, Dorothy Usher, Ada Reeves, and Clarice Geffe.

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  1. Kevin and Jacki, I was so sorry to hear about your mom. I have so many fond memories of our families getting together to play cards, etc… Your mom was so generous when she gave me a collection of her books she used in her classroom to help my start my own collection. Those books are still being read and enjoyed today. Again, please accept my sincere sympathies. Peg Hall Litchfield

  2. Jacki, Thank you so much for letting me know about this guestbook!! What beautiful photos of your Mom!! My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with your Brother and You at this time. Your Mom is at peace and watching over you.

  3. The Family of Mrs. Wright ~ I just heard of the the passing of one of my favorite elementary teachers, Mrs. Wright. I remember her being so kind and caring. My thoughts and prayers are with your during this difficult time. May you cherish all of the wonderful memories & may those memories ease your pain in the days, weeks & years ahead. Londa Grinna PHS 1981 graduate

  4. Jacki, Kevin, and family: Peggy Litchfield told me of Clara’s death at our P-T conferences Mon. eve.. Your parents were very dear to me-lots of great memories of playing card games with them. She will suffer no more in God’s arms. Ray and Clara are now together again, at peace-except for the arguments they might have from time to time! We used to laugh at those two!! Jacki, my heart goes out to you-especially during the holidays. My brother Tom died of cancer a month ago-he was at the same funeral home, only in Fredericksburg-so I knew the website well. Take care and cling to your brother and family, as well as friends. My prayers are with you all. With love and God’s blessings, Sandy Buhrow ray

  5. Mrs. Wright taught us how to write! I did my first real research paper in her class. Who can forget having her read Aise-ce-bon, a Racoon by Lillian Brady to us every day. Teachers like Mrs. Wright are so rare. Rest in peace.

  6. Jacki, Kevin, and family–My condolences go out to all of you at the passing of your mother and grandmother. Mrs. Wright was a wonderful 5th grade teacher! I remember doing Junior Great Books in her class, how she made learning Iowa history fun, and the great story teller she was when reading out loud to us. She was one of my most favorite teachers and one of the people who I believe influenced me to become a teacher myself. I will always remember her with a smile. May you have peace in your heart knowing that she is with the Lord and that she is forever in your hearts and the hearts of so many.

  7. With Heartfelt Sympathy to the Family, May you find comfort in God’s word and in the knowledge that others sympathize with you in your loss. The Bible calls death an enemy. (1 Corinthians 15:26) Death is an adversary of such power that no human can resist it, and every loved one who dies is just another of death’s uncountable victims. The Bible also gives us comfort in knowing that we can be reunited with our loved ones through the resurrection hope found at John 5:28,29. Please read it. It has helped many bereaved persons and myself. I pray it does the same for you.

  8. Jacki and Kevin, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. You are in my thoughts and prayers. She is at peace and your mom and dad are together again. I have fond members of your mother following along to all of our bball games. A faithful fan! What a trooper! God’s Peace and Love be with both of you in the coming days. Jane and Steve Hildebrand

  9. Jacki and Kevin, Your family has been in our thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult time. Your mom is in a better place now, probably together with your dad, singing a tune! J, I will be there for you in the difficult days ahead, because as the ol’ saying goes: ‘A friend is someone who is always willing to listen.’ Ellen Drewes-Stoen & Erik Stoen

  10. Jacki & Kevin: We are so sorry to hear about your mom. I fondly remember those nights of card playing, having our jars of money for ‘garbage’! I always loved hearing Clara giggle and it was so fun to tease her! Those trips to Colorado were fun too and I remember Raymond and Clara both being shocked that I wanted to leave the tails on those trout when we fried them! You are in my thoughts and weather providing, I hope to see you Tuesday. Barb, Tracy & Mike Gruetzmacher and Lenora Ross

  11. Jacki, Kevin & Family, I’m so saddened to hear about your mother’s passing. She was one of my favorite teachers. Mrs. Wright was my 5th grade teacher, and she had an amazing skill. She loved her job and the students. I am forever grateful to her for teaching us so much about writing, reading, and language. She encouraged us all and believed so much in our abilities. Jacki and Kevin, she talked about you often in the classroom. She mentioned Jacki’s love of sports, her coaching, and how much work and determination it took to be such an amazing athlete. She was in awe of Kevin and his love for wildlife, his work with animals – and bears! I remember even selling postcards with eagles on them to benefit the CO wildlife. Her grandchildren were also at the top of her list. The stories never stopped. Mrs. Wright was a great story teller, and I will never forget listening to her read books after we came in from recess. There was nothing quite like it. What a beautiful person! She will be deeply missed by me and by the many students who loved her. Please know she made a difference in my life. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

  12. Jacki, Kevin and family, We were so sorry to hear about your mom. I remember well the fun card games we had together! We’ll be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Peggy, Steve, Carly and Kelly

  13. Dear Jackie, I saw the news about your mother on line here in Africa. I remember well the times that she would drive in the driveway across the street from our place, to pick up Gen for their trip to Plainfield to teach. Your mother was a very nice person. My mother died on December 19, 1999 so I know that the Holidays will be difficult for you. May God give you courage to go on! Blessings and love to you from Africa, Peggy Drake


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