Dale R. Wright

Dale R. Wright, 91, Kearney resident formerly of Elm Creek, died Friday, January 30, 2015 at the St. John’s Nursing Home in Kearney. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M., Thursday, February 5, 2015 at the First Christian Church in Elm Creek with the Reverend Scott Foster and Reverend Dean Pofahl officiating. Interment will be held at a later date. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00-3:00 at the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney, and then from 5:00-7:00 at the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Chapel in Elm Creek. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church in Elm Creek, Elm Creek Fire and Rescue Unit, and Mid Nebraska Community Action in Kearney. Online condolences may be submitted to www.osrfh.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Dale Robert Wright was born May 10, 1923 near Amherst, Nebraska, to Jesse “Jack” and Grace (Rumbeck) Wright. The family moved to a farm near Elm Creek when Dale was four years old. They lived on several farms in the area, moving in 1940 to the present Wright farm one mile north of Elm Creek. Dale attended rural schools, District 23 and 94, and attended high school at Elm Creek Public School, graduating in 1940. Dale had fond memories of the snowy trip to Lincoln to participate in the Nebraska State Boy’s Basketball tournament in 1940. He married Ilia Lahm on August 9, 1944, in Norton, Kansas. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2014. Three children were born to this union, Gary, Janice and Sue. Dale entered the Air Force in 1942 but was not called to serve due to a heart murmur. He entered the US Army in March, 1945 and was at camps in Kansas, Texas, Wyoming, Colorado and California before serving one year in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged as Tech 5 in October, 1946. Dale liked to play softball and was a pitcher for several area teams. When he was in the Philippines he played baseball and football. He played softball well into his 40’s. Later he enjoyed watching Gary, the grandkids and great grandkids play ball and other activities. Before his military service and after his discharge, Dale and Ilia lived on the family farm. In 1955, Dale and Ilia bought the 80 acre family farm after his dad, Jesse, suffered a debilitating heart attack. They continued to live on the farm until 2012. He took pride in the family home he built. Dale loved his family and always looked forward to entertaining and sharing meals with family and friends. He and Ilia enjoyed riding around in their golf carts looking over the farm and enjoying the outdoors, “their home”. Dale found joy in Ilia’s flowers and their well landscaped yard. In November, 2012, Dale and Ilia moved to Northridge in Kearney. Declining health necessitated his move to St. John’s Care Center on May 2, 2013. One week later he celebrated his 90th birthday. Dale and his family appreciated the loving care of the staff at St. John’s and the special consideration shown as we continued to celebrate as a family. Dale was baptized at Fairhaven Church in 1943. He later joined Elm Creek First Christian Church and was an active member serving as elder, board member, Sunday school superintendent and teacher of many classes. He was proud to have laid the block for the front addition to the church in 1968. Dale served on the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors from 1968 to 1996. He was chairman of the board for a number of years and served one term as president of the Nebraska County Officials Association. Dale was a board member of Mid Nebraska Community Action. His dedicated service was recognized with the naming of the board room in his honor. In 1996, he received the Freedom Award in Agriculture. He was honored to receive the first Margaret McMullen Memorial Award for community service. Dale was a former member of the Elm Creek Lions Club and served on committees of Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce. He was always active in supporting the Elm Creek Community he so appreciated. He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity to others, always looking out for those needing a helping hand. He is survived by his wife Ilia of Kearney; children Gary (Sandy) Wright of Broken Bow, Janice (CJ) Hanner of Lincoln, Sue (Russ) Bayne of Eddyville; grandchildren, Stacy (Rod) Baillie of Broken Bow, Stephanie (Tony) Wright of Merna, Geoff (Brooke) Wright of Ravenna, Jared and Jeremy Hanner of Lincoln; great grandchildren, Paige, Olivia, Mya Wright of Ravenna, Owen and Colin Wright of Merna; step grandchilren, Penny (Kurt) Harmoney of Omaha, Karen (Ken) Vogel of Omaha, Kim (Andy) Winter of Connecticut; step great grandchildren, Jessey and Jenna Baillie of Omaha, Kiersten Winter of Connecticut, Thad and Philip Harmoney, Alex and Ben Koeppe, and Josh Vogel all of Omaha; brother, Kenneth of Kearney and sister in law, Joan Wright of Kearney, many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Preceding him in death were a brother, Deane, sister, Betty and her husband Roy Kolar, and sister in law, Eddis Wright.

Dale R. Wright

May 10, 1923 - January 30, 2015