Vivian Wright

Vivian V. Wright, age 80 of Neodesha, Kansas died Monday, January 21, 2002 at the Beverly Health and Rehab. in Neodesha. Vivian was born July 9, 1921 in Gordon, Kansas to Bert and Edna Waggner VanMiddlesworth. She graduated from Augusta, Kansas High School in January 1938, having played many musical instruments in school and private bands and orchestras, she played 8 years at church. She marched with the Kawaians Kansas Marching Band. 10 Year 4-H member and later a leader, she showed livestock at the American Royal in Kansas City two years and the Kansas Fat Stock Show at Wichita 3 years. She attended the State 4-H Congress in Manhattan. She played baseball in the Wichita Ladies League where she suffered a knee injury that left her leg stiff the rest of her life. The family moved to Sycamore Valley in 1939. She married LeRoy H. Wright on May 11, 1940 the day of her parents wedding anniversary. They moved to a 10,000 acre ranch near Council Grove, Kansas and then back to Neodesha in 1945. She was a member of the Neodesha Saddle Club, she made the club flafs; a charter member of the Neodesha Bowling Team that included a trip to Great Bend to play in the State Tournament. As a member of the Rainbow Choral Club of Independence, was a performing guest of the Army Band at Washington, D.C. She was a member of the Sycamore Home Demonstration Unit, Neodesha Rebekah Lodge 252, and as a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ was in the CWF, choir member, and tended the flowers inside and in the flower boxes outside of the church for many years. She made the altar, pulpit, and lectern clothes for the church. For the Order of the Eastern Star she made the satin altar cloth for the Neodesha Order, that traveled to London for an International Eastern StarMasonic Meeting and is now on display at the Independence Hall. She was a member of the Neodesha Senior Citizens Center, Over 60 Club, and played cards at the Center. She took early retirement from Airosol at 62 years of age after her disabling accident. Work experience included working and owning the Truck Stop Cafe, and having cooked at both Neodesha Nursing Homes, the Bright Spot, and the Santa Fe at Independence. She had also worked at Stevie Toggs and H. D. Lee in Cherryvale as well as sewing for numerous in
iduals including making many formals for the Eastern Star members. Survivors include one brother D.A. Van Middlesworth of rural Neodesha, Kansas, two daughters Rosella M. Trapp of Sylvan Grove, Kansas and Wanita L. Ross of Neodesha, Kansas; 8 grandchildren and 1 step grandchild, 21 great grandchildren and 1 step great grandchild. Preceding her in death, as well as her parents, were two grandsons, and one great grandson. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 24, 2002 at the Neodesha First Christian Church with the Rev. Harry Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in the Farmridge Cemetery west of Sycamore, Kansas under the direction of the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home. Visitation hours will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 22, 2002 and from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2002 with the family receiving friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home. The family has suggested memorials to the Neodesha First Christian Church and contributions may be left at the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home.