Josephine Wright

Josephine “Jo” Wright, 88, Flasher, passed away on September 9, 2018, at Elm Crest Manor, New Salem, surrounded by her loving family.

A funeral service will be held at 9:30 AM on Friday, September 14, 2018, at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with Rev. Dale Carmen officiating.  Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday, September 13, 2018, at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, Mandan, with a prayer service at 7 PM.  The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Josephine was born May 1, 1930, in Bismarck to Henry and Josephine “Josie” (Toman) Novotny.  Growing up, Jo’s family spoke Bohemian and English, as both of her parents were born in Czechoslovakia.  She attended Big Bend Country School through the eighth grade, often riding her horse, Ribbon, to school.  She was the only child in her family to attend high school and was proud to graduate from Flasher High School.  After she graduated, there was a massive teacher shortage because of the war so Jo was allowed to teach.  She loved the three years she spent teaching grade school.  On September 19, 1951, she married Martin Wright in Flasher.  After Martin was discharged from the Army, they made their home on Jo’s family farm where they worked together for 46 years and raised their family.  Jo was the model for a farming wife.  She drove tractor, raised cattle, and rode horse during the day and raised her family at night.  Jo was a wonderful cook and baker and was famous for her chocolate cake and an extra plate of frosting.  She also mastered the art of making “Pult”, a Swedish potato dumpling dish that Martin and her family loved.  She treasured time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always put other’s needs before her own.  A loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Blessed to have shared her life is her husband of nearly 67 years, Martin Wright, Flasher; four children, Ron (Patricia) Wright, Williston, Iris (Gary) Weihemuller, Baxter, MN, Lori (Rob) Lighthizer, Mandan, and Nola (Mark) Schafer, Flasher; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Ed Novotny, Alexandria, MN.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; son, Todd; sister, Adel; and brother, Henry.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association, 406 W. Main St. #105, Mandan, ND 58554 or the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46 ^th St., Mandan, ND 58554.