Janet Rae Wright was born March 13, 1950, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Richard Ervin Franklin and Dorothy Lucille (Aten) Howard. She graduated from East High School with the class of 1968. Janet married Joe Wright, Sr., on May 25, 1968, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Evansdale; he preceded her in death on January 15, 2015. She worked at the Family-Owned A&W in Evansdale, as a fry cook for 16 years, then retired after 17 years as a Tray Assembler at Allen Hospital. Janet enjoyed fishing, hockey, gardening, birds and music on vinyl records. Most of all, she loved her time with her children and grandchildren.
Janet passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024, at UnityPointHealth – Allen Memorial at the age of 73. She is preceded in death by her parents, spouse; a daughter, Leanna Rae Wright; a great-granddaughter, Adalynn Wright; brother, Michael Dean Howard; sister, Juanita Ames and a stepdaughter, Tammy Stasko.
Janet is survived by two sons, Joe (Penny) Wright of Evansdale and Richard (Laura) Wright of Waterloo; seven grandchildren, Sarah Firebaugh, Richard Graham, Darrick (Ashleigh) Wright, Michael (Taylor) Wright, Cody Wright, Macy (Christian) Wright and Porter Wright; four great-grandchildren, Brently Bass, Benson Wright, Stella Wright and Brileigh Wright; brother, Richard (Vicky) Howard of Lone Rock, Iowa; a sister, Connie Lee (Bob) Olsson of Evansdale and a sister-in-law, Julie Howard.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Visitation: Friday, February 9, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, at Parrott and Wood Chapel of Memories, 965 Home Plaza, Waterloo.
Graveside Service: Friday, February 9, 2024, at Garden of Memories, 3669 Logan Ave., Waterloo, Iowa 50703.
Luncheon will follow the graveside committal at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 610 S. Evans Rd., Evansdale, Iowa 50707.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
965 Home Plaza, Waterloo, IA 50701


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