LaVerne Clinton Wright

LaVerne Wright, 87 , went to his Lord on November 24, 2012 with his wife and family members at his side. Vern was the son of Arleigh and Helen (Funk) Wright, born on the Wright family farm, Town of Naples, on July 16, 1925. He was a graduate of Mondovi High School, active in all sports. He married Irma Mueller on August 21, 1947. Four loving daughters were born to Vern and Irma. Irma passed away on June 17, 1999. Vern farmed in the Town of Naples for over 40 years, and later worked with his brother-in-law in the concrete business. He was a rural mail carrier for 8 years. Vern was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Mondovi. Throughout his life he was civic minded, serving on the Buffalo Memorial Hospital Board, Mondovi Ambulance Commission, Western Dairyland Board, Co-op Equity and Foster Creamery Boards. He was the Naples Town chairman for 28 years, and was on the Buffalo County Board for 22 years. Vern enjoyed the outdoors, doing some hunting but had a true passion for fishing, especially for crappies in the Mississippi backwaters. A yearly fishing trip to Canada with some lifelong friends was something Vern enjoyed very much. After retirement, you’d often find him on the golf course, continuing to play until he became ill. To keep in shape, he cut and split wood for his fireplace. Vern followed sports, and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Vern married Eleanor (Ellie) House on June 22, 2002 at Zion Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife, Ellie, daughters Terry (Bart) Fojtik of West Bend; Barbara (Randy Crank) Wright of Mondovi; Judith (John) Schroeder of Eau Claire; Patricia (Richard) Harris of St. Louis, MO; seven grandchildren: Pamela Schroeder, Matthew (Stacy) Schroeder, Ryan Fojtik, Aaron (Abby) Fojtik, Kori Fojtik, Andrew Harris, Kathryn Harris and 2 great-grandchildren: Kayla and Logan Schroeder; sisters-in-law Lenore (George) Heinemann and Marge (Gene) Rice; nieces and nephews; Ellie’s children Bob House of Pierz, MN, Mike House of Bay City, Diane (George) Wisell of St Mary’s, GA, Susanne House of Durand, Jon (Ketty) House of Ft. Worth, TX, Christine Cruz of Amhurst, OH, and Bill House of Mondovi; 10 grandchildren: Nick McGee, Angie (Tim) Schlosser, Ryan House, Jocelyn Cruz, Bridgette Cruz, Amanda Martinez, Elvis Martinez, Lance Olson, Ashley Olson, Taylor Olson and 2 great-grandchildren. Vern is also survived by a dear friend, Terry (Cindy) Brenner, who is like a son to him. Vern was preceded in death by wife Irma, his parents, brothers Walter and Charles, sister Catherine Steinke, and brother-in-law Herb Steinke. A time of visitation and support for Vern’s family will be held at the Poeschel-Talbot Funeral Home, Mondovi on Wednesday, November 28 at 4:00 PM to 7:00PM and again one hour prior to the at the Funeral Service at 11:00 AM on Thursday November 29 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Mondovi with Pastor Paul Woebbeking officiating. Cremation will follow the service, with inurnment at Riverside Lutheran Cemetery at 3:30 PM. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com