Thelma Yvonne Wright

Thelma Wright, 90 years old, died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, May 14 2024 in Olympia, WA. A native of Iowa, Thelma is remembered for her many years of service as an obstetrics nurse, a community activist, and as a hard-working provider for her four children.

Thelma was born to George and Thelma (Glenney) Kiser on December 22, 1933 in Cedar Rapids IA. Affectionately known as Bonnie as a child, growing up she enjoyed a close relationship with her only sister Donna. She graduated from Tipton High School in Tipton, IA in 1951.

Thelma graduated from the RN program at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids IA in 1955. After completing nursing training, she enlisted as a commissioned officer nurse in the US Navy. While in the Navy, she met Edward Burl Wright and they were married in 1957.

Thelma and Ed had four children and divorced in 1967. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Thelma co-farmed with her father in Cedar County, IA, and raised her children in Wilton and Tipton, IA. She worked as an RN in a private doctor’s office in Tipton. Later, she established both the field nurse office for Muscatine County for President Johnson’s War on Poverty initiative and the Head Start program in Muscatine, IA. She worked for Wilton Retirement Community, Trinity Muscatine Hospital, and the University of Iowa Hospital. Over the course of her career, she delivered and cared for thousands of babies in eastern Iowa.

After retiring, Thelma moved to be with her daughter Betty’s family. She was a staple of the community in Brighton, CO: Thelma volunteered at the Platte Valley Hospital, Brighton 27J school district, Platte Valley Players community theater organization, and the Brighton Senior Center. She was heavily involved with United Methodist Women and Brighton United Methodist Church, and was honored as a Quiet Disciple by the United Methodist Church. She was a featured speaker for the Peaks and Plains District of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church on water conservation and recycling.

Thelma had an excellent singing voice; she enjoyed performing and singing in choirs and theater. She was the lead in the Tipton High School production of Hansel and Gretel, as well as performing with the Tri-County Playcasters in Davenport, IA. Her notable roles with Tri-County Playcasters included Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and Parthy in Showboat. While living in Wilton, she was a treasured member of the Music Boosters at Wilton High School. After retirement, she served as costumer for the Platte Valley Players in Brighton, CO.

Thelma was a nurse until the end and remained concerned about the care of others until her death. Although plagued with dementia near the end of her life, she was still doing nursing assessments while in her assisted living cottage. Thelma loved to sew and garden and play Scrabble with friends. She enjoyed taking trips to visit her sons in Japan and her sister in Panama.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents George and Thelma, sister Donna, and ex-husband Ed. She is survived by her four children: Betty Metz (Leland Heathershaw) of Lacey, WA; Steven Wright (Eriko) of Bibai, Hokkaido, Japan; David Wright (Paula) of Muscatine, IA; and Myron Wright (Masako) of Satsunai, Hokkaido, Japan. She leaves her legacy behind in her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren: Christopher Wright of Davenport, IA, his daughter Phoenix Wright (Corey Dyer) and Phoenix and Corey’s children Asher and Brookelyn; Emily Kelting (Mark) of Bennett, IA and their children Hannah and Connor; Renae Yahn (Henry) of Muscatine, IA and their children Noah and Abigail; Georgia Metz of Harrisonburg, VA; Sara Wright of Satsunai, Hokkaido, Japan; and Felicia Wright of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.

The family will have a memorial service hosted online on Saturday, May 25 at 5:30 PM PT/6:30 PM MT/7:30 PM CT. To join the memorial service via Zoom, please follow this link: https://shorturl.at/SEVfA

The family requests no flowers; memorial contributions can be made to Brighton Methodist Church, 625 S. 8th Ave Brighton, CO 80601.