Dean William Wright, 77, West Concord
Dean William Wright, 77, of West Concord, died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016 at the Zumbrota Care Center in Zumbrota.
Dean was born Feb. 28, 1938 in Owatonna the son of Leslie and Ruth (Spreiter) Wright. He was a 1956 graduate of West Concord High School and in 1960 graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Agricultural Science.
Dean married Kay Knudsen on Sept.19, 1959 in West Concord. They lived in Faribault where Dean worked as a Salesman at Ralston Purina. They moved back to West Concord on the Wright family farm in 1964 and he began a partnership with his brother, Lowell. Dean also owned and operated Wright Seed Service.
Dean held many offices during his years of working including: president of the Dodge County Crop Improvement Association, P.C.A. director, officer on the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotional Council, president of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association (MCIA), named honorary chapter farmer by West Concord FFA, served on the Concord Co-op Board and chairman of the Board for the Blooming Prairie Farm Credit. In 2012, he was inducted into the Dodge County Fair Hall of Fame for his many years of service.
Dean and Kay enjoyed travelling with their family and spending several winters in Weslaco, Texas. Dean played tuba in the Zumbrota Community Band for close to 40 years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in West Concord where he served on the council, sang in the choir and attended bible study.
Dean is survived by his wife, Kay Wright of West Concord; three daughters, Susan (Ken) Schuck of West Concord, Shari (Robin) Nelson of Spring Lake Park and Carmen (Todd) Livingood of Kasson; six grandchildren, Kaleb Schuck of West Concord, Krista (Gary) Ellis of Zumbrota, Mikayla Nelson of Spring Lake Park, Heather, Joseph and Joshua Livingood of Kasson; one great grandson, William Swensen; three siblings, Lowell (Joanne) Wright of West Concord, Joanne (Roger) Brandt of Dayton, Ohio and Harry (Dianne) Wright of Wanamingo.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, West Concord on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, West Concord. Interment will be in the Concord Cemetery in Concord Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church, West Concord or the West Concord Fire Department. Michaelson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.