Gerald Wright

GERALD R. WRIGHT

Delhi

Gerald R. Wright, 75, of Delhi, Iowa, formerly of Dickeyville, Wis., passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at Dubuque Specialty Care from complications of dementia. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at Faith Lutheran Church in Cuba City with Pastor Melissa Waterman officiating. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Cuba City. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cuba City. Friends may also call from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the church before the service.

Gerald was born on Jan. 13, 1941, in Darlington, Wis., the son of Oliver and Frieda (Pahnke) Wright. He graduated from Benton High School in 1959. Gerald married the love of his life, Mary Brandt, on Aug. 19, 1967, at Faith Lutheran Church in Cuba City. They resided in Dickeyville for 36 years.

Gerald retired from John Deere Dubuque Works in 2001 after 36 years. At that time, he and Mary bought their retirement home on Lake Delhi. They entertained many friends and family with pontoon rides, fishing and campfires.

Gerald and Mary were past members and officers of the Dickeyville Rescue Squad for many years. Together they also had the Rhinestone Cowboy Band, playing the supper clubs around the area, along with many weddings and anniversaries. Gerald was a past member of the East Dubuque Drum and Bugle Corp. He also enjoyed feeding the birds and the many other "critters" that came to his feeders. Gerald was a motorcycle safety instructor for many years at Southwest Technical College. Gerald and Mary took many rides and vacations together on their Gold Wing motorcycle. He took up the art of making beautiful oak furniture after retirement. His family and friends were the recipients of his talent.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife and companion of 58 years, Mary; his daughter, Kandi Deerfield of Streamwood, Ill.; his sons, Scott (Connie) of Dickeyville and Russ of Delhi; and his seven grandchildren, Kyle, Maggie, Kylie, Rachael, Brooke, Luke and Dylan. He also is survived by his brother, Ron of Benton; his sisters, LeAnne (Bruce) Wuthrich of Brodhead, Wis., and Marcy (Merv) Brenum of Dickeyville; and nieces and nephews.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Paul; four brothers-in-law, Dale Farrey, Faedelus Herbst, Richard Lutz and Clarence Negus; and a sister-in-law, Kay Brandt.

A Gerald R. Wright Memorial Fund has been established.

The family would like to thank Dubuque Specialty Care and Hospice of Dubuque for their wonderful and compassionate care of Gerald.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.caseyfuneralhome.net.