Loris Elaine Wright

1932 - 2024

Loris E. Wright, 92, of Broken Bow, Neb., died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 at the Brookestone View Care Home in Broken Bow.

Loris Elaine Meier was born at home south of Mason Cit, the only child of Otto H and Ethel (Fitzpatrick) Meier on Jan. 6, 1932.

Loris was raised on the family farm five miles south of Mason City.

She attended grade school at the Beechville school and then attended high school and graduated from Mason City High School with a Normal Training certificate in 1949. After high school, Loris taught school at the Basin School District south of Mason City from September,1950 to May, 1953.

On June 4, 1953, Loris married her high school sweetheart, Johnny B Wright. They were married at the family farm south of Mason City while Johnny was home on leave from the US Navy.

After the wedding, the couple drove to Los Angeles, Calif., where Johnny was to complete the last six months of his service time in the US Navy. They rented an apartment in Los Angeles where Loris lived while Johnny was overseas.

After Johnny completed his military service, the couple returned to Nebraska and lived in Kearney for a short time and then settled in Broken Bow which became their permanent home.

Their first home was a small brick home at 1355 South H. It was while they lived there that their two children were born - Jeanne Ranee' on Aug. 18, 1959, and Kevin Lee on Aug. 26, 1961. The family eventually outgrew their small home and built their last home at 1144 North 13th themselves. They were quite a team as Johnny did all the construction, plumbing, and electrical while Loris did most of the finish work and cleanup. The family moved into their new home in 1965-1966.

Loris and Johnny were members of the First Baptist Church until 2007 and then the United Methodist Church from 2007 until Loris's death. Loris was a member of the Town and Country Extension Club and was a leader of the 4-H Club, "The Sunshine Gals", where she taught the girls sewing and cooking.

Johnny and Loris also enjoyed playing cards and were part of several card clubs. Loris was a homemaker most of her life but did work at the Broken Bow High School as a cook in the lunchroom for about 10 years from 1976 – 1985.

After Johnny and Loris both retired, they traveled with friends and family to 48 states, Canada, Mexico and Alaska. The traveling was great but Loris's greatest joy was her family. She was always available to help her children and grandchildren. She and Johnny rarely missed any of the kids' activities. There were lots of sleepovers, tea parties and cooking lessons with the grandkids.

When they weren't with family or traveling, Johnny and Loris gardened. Johnny planted and Loris canned – lots! Johnny was also notorious for bringing home buckets of chokecherries for Loris to can, make jelly, syrup, pies and wine. Loris was also a great cook and was well known in the family for her pies.

Loris was also an amazing seamstress. There wasn't anything she couldn't sew, mend or alter. Jeanne never had a store bought dress until she started Kindergarten. Loris also had a love for crocheting. All family members have been the recipient of at least one of her crocheted doilies.

Loris's devotion didn't stop with her children and grandchildren. Johnny was in nursing home facilities for approximately five and a half years until his death in March, 2020. Loris rarely missed a day with him at the homes. She would arrive around 7 a.m. and would return home after supper. Their love and devotion to each other was rare. They were married 66 years at the time of Johnny's death.

As the result of a fall, Loris became a resident of Brookestone View in September, 2021, and remained there until her death Jan. 14, 2024. The residents and staff of Brookestone View quickly became her adopted family.

Loris was preceded in death by her parents Otto and Ethel (Fitzpatrick) Meier; husband Johnny; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Garnet and Maxine Wright; and brother-in-law Milan (Mike) Holm.

She is survived by her children Jeanne Rapp (Kevin) and Kevin Wright (Bonnie); grandchildren Jeff Rapp (Heather) of Hickman, Justin Rapp (Amanda) of North Platte, Jordon Rapp (Ashley) of Sewar, Mikensie Wright Oakeson (Bret), of Hastings and Patrick Wright of Kansas City; great-grandchildren Keely and Colin Rapp of Hickman, Gracelyn and Jada Rapp of North Platte, Eleanor Rapp of Seward, special granddaughter Wiebke Siemann of Hannover, Germany, sister-in-law Joyce (Wright) Holm of Pocatello, Idaho, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Thursday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow with Pastor Phil Sloat officiating. Burial was at 2 p.m. at the Mason City Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., at Govier Brothers Mortuary with the family greeting friends 5 - 7 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Custer County Foundation for the Mason City Cemetery Fund.

Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.