Obituaries : Nadine I. Wright

Nadine I. Wright

VINTON – Nadine I. Wright, 84, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City following a short illness.

Funeral services will be held 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2014, at the Vinton Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jessica Crane-Munoz officiating. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 9, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton and an hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Interment will be in the Garrison Cemetery.

Nadine Iola Wright was born May 29, 1929, in Jefferson, Iowa, the daughter of Adam and Bessie Smith Suck. When she was four, her family moved to the Garrison area. Following graduation from Garrison High School, Nadine attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, graduating with a degree in music education and piano performance. Nadine taught music in Audubon, Iowa, for three years before taking time off to raise her family. She resumed her teaching career in 1968 at Vinton Community Schools.

On January 9, 1954, Nadine and Richard Wright, Jr. were married at the Church of the Brethren in Garrison. Dick and Nadine farmed near Garrison and Nadine taught music for twenty five years, retiring in 1990. After 49 years of marriage, he preceded her in death in 2003. Nadine also taught piano lessons for 55 years. Nadine continued her spirit of helping others by being an organ donor through Iowa Donor Network.

Nadine was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder, a deacon, church organist, pianist and choir director. She belonged to the Garrison Study Club and several state and national music and educational organizations, including the Cedar Rapids Area Piano Teachers. She enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Vinton Garden Club, reading, quilting and cooking, but her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her three sons, Richard Wright III of Garrison, Daniel (Karen) Wright of Shueyville and James (Linda) Wright of Sumner; daughter-in-law, Barbara Ender-Wright of Vinton; sister, Darlene (Verne) McClurg of Fort Collins, CO; five grandchildren, Andy (Trish) Ender, Paisley Wright (Lance), Megan and Danielle Wright and Adam Wright; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial fund has been established to continue Nadine’s music legacy.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Nadine and her family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.