Margaret Wright

Margaret S. Wright, age 90, of Nashua, IA, died February 17, 2015 at Tripoli Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 20, 2015, at Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home – Olson Chapel in Nashua with Chaplin Bill Carpenter officiating. Friends may greet the family 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Thursday February 19, 2015, at Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home – Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home on Friday. Margaret Sophia Wright was born April 14, 1924, on the family farm in rural Chickasaw County, Iowa, the daughter of John C. and Dorothy (Hicks) Kellner. She attended country school and in 1941 graduated from the Nashua High School. Margaret then attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA, and graduated with her teaching degree and proceeded to teach in Nashua. After dating a few years, in 1943, Margaret went to visit Russell K. Wright while he was stationed in Pocatello, Idaho at an airbase with the 342nd squadron. The couple married May 27, 1943, and lived off base. Margaret worked for Union Pacific Railroad while in Idaho. In the fall of 1943 Russell was sent overseas and Margaret returned home to Iowa to teach in country schools and eventually 5th grade in Nashua until 1963. In December 1945, Russell returned from England and the couple resided on a century farm in Bremer County, belonging to Margaret’s great-grandfather where they began farming, milking cows, growing corn, soybeans, oats and hay until retiring in 2000. Margaret is a perfect example of an individual of the “Greatest Generation”; hard working, modest, caring, and always doing what she had to do without complaining. In 1949, electricity came to their farm and it was wonderful. Margaret was always amazed and grateful for all the modern conveniences she was able to witness and experience over her lifetime. Margaret enjoyed gardening, growing her own vegetables, and many flowers at home. She also enjoyed sharing her bounty with friends, family, and neighbors. Cooking, canning, pickling, and freezing were a joyful daily activity depending what was growing, and sharing with all. Over the years, Margaret enjoyed traveling to Florida and Pennsylvania numerous times to visit family. She loved watching her grandchildren from babies; grow into mature, successful adults with families of their own. Margaret is survived by two sons, James R. Wright of Melbourne Beach, FL, Larry G. (Debbie) Wright of Tripoli, IA; two daughters, Lois A. Kerfoot of Wilkes-Barre, PA, AlLinda R. (Frits Kruithof) Wright of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister, Gerry Busching of Plainfield, IA; five grandchildren, Melissa (Keith) Van Til of Killfish, NY, Trisha (Chris) Meilinger and daughter of Sophia of Chicago, IL, Brock Kerfoot of Wilkes-Barre, PA, Laura (Brian) Mason and daughter Emily of Madison, WI, Zachary Wright of Cedar Falls, IA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Russell in 1999; infant son, Jerry; brother John J. Kellner; sister-in-laws, Lorraine Kellner, Mildred Bennett, Clara Wright, and Ardis Wright; brother-in-laws, Stanley Busching, Raymond Wright, and Donald Wright, and many friends and neighbors.