Ruth Elaine Wright

Ruth (Ziegelbein) Wright, age 96, passed away on October 9, 2026. She was born September 22, 1930, in Hamilton County, Nebraska, to William and Viola (Smith) Ziegelbein. She lived on the family farm outside of Polk until graduating from Polk High School. She then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, to begin work at The National Bank of Commerce, where she met Donald Wright. They married on Easter Sunday in April 1952 and shared 69 years of marriage.

Ruth was an accomplished seamstress and active at Christ Church (formerly Christ Lutheran). She sewed quilts, baptism napkins, and altar paraments; served as chair of the Altar Circle; sang in the choir; attended Bible study; and helped wherever needed. If not volunteering at church, Ruth could be found tending to her garden, sewing for her family, restoring furniture, cooking, canning and baking (especially pies), decorating her home (Christmas and Easter were her favorites) or reading a good book on her patio. She also enjoyed playing the piano, even in the last year of her life.

Ruth is survived by her children: Cynthia (Michael) Donnelly; David Wright; Catherine (Scott Riha) Vilda; and Christine (Mark) Matousek. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Benjamin (Katie Kjolhede) Vilda; Annie (Beau) Boryca; Kelsey (Joshua) Podrebarac; and Kristin (Joshua) Sims; as well as several great-grandchildren and her brother, Allen (Carol) Ziegelbein.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Wright; her parents, William and Viola Ziegelbein; her brothers and in-laws, Kenneth (Shirley) Ziegelbein and Charles (RaeJean) Ziegelbein; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Iva (KD) Patitz.

Celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 20 at 3:00pm at Christ Lincoln, 4325 Sumner Street, Lincoln. The service will be followed by a gathering to share stories and memories of Ruth.

A private inurnment service for the immediate family will be held at a later date. The family requests that donations be sent to Dementia Society of America or Christ Church Foundation. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at lincolnfh.com