Martha Rae (Marty) Wright of Cozad passed away Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Meadowlark Pointe in Cozad at the age of 80.
Marty was born December 20, 1941 in Lexington, Nebraska to Herman and Martha (Holbein) Hansen. She graduated from Cozad High School with the class of 1960. While growing up in Cozad, she was involved in Girl Scouts, was a lifeguard at the pool where she taught swimming lessons, she played the oboe in band and also taught oboe lessons, she was a student council member, a cheerleader, and a member of the National Honor Society.
Following high school, Marty attended Lincoln General Hospital School of Nursing and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1963. In 1962 while attending a baseball game in Lincoln with her friends, she was introduced to Dan. Dan came to her rescue later that evening when Marty had car trouble. The next day, Dan knew he wanted to see her again. He went to her dorm and there was almost a mix up with her name and the name of her friend, Margi but Dan said he wanted the girl from Cozad. And that began the love story of a lifetime. Dan and Marty were married in 1963 at the United Methodist Church in Cozad. Their union was blessed with three children, Andy, Amy and Adam. They lived in Lincoln, NE where their son Andrew(Andy) Wright was born in 1964. They moved to Red Cloud, NE where their daughter Amy (Wright) Lennemann was born in 1968. They moved to Fairbury, NE in 1969 and to Falls City, NE in 1970 until 1977. While living in Falls City, NE their son Adam was born in 1973. Their final move was back to Marty’s hometown of Cozad in 1977, where they continue to reside. Marty was an RN for over 30 years in various nursing homes as a Director of Nursing.
She was a life long member of the Cozad United Methodist Church and was involved in many areas of the church such as bell choir, choir, United Methodist Women, Kids of the Kingdom, vacation bible school and spent countless hours volunteering at the UMC Thrift Shop. Marty especially enjoyed holding and singing songs to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, songs such as You are my Sunshine, A Bushel and a Peck, Have you ever gone a fishin’ and all Nursery Rhymes. She also enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, reading, attending and supporting all Cozad athletic events. She was a die hard Nebraska Husker fan and always cheered the loudest for her “Huskers”. She was the first Cozad City Council woman 1986-1987.
Marty retired in 1995. Following her retirement, she enjoyed getting away for “girls trips” with her daughter Amy, daughters in law Dawn and Pam, and grand daughters Kamara, Ashlee and Hanna, many gambling trips with Dan, her Tuesday coffee group, monthly ladies bridge club and spending time with family. Marty loved sunrises and sunsets, her favorite song was “You Are My Sunshine”. She was loving, caring, compassionate, selfless, and always put others first. She was always our biggest supporter, we will cherish every moment we had with her. We will feel her love in every sunrise and see her smile in every sunset.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Martha (Holbein) Hansen of Cozad, NE.
Marty is lovingly survived by her husband Dan of Cozad; children, Andy (Dawn) Wright of Lincoln, NE, Amy (Brad) Lennemann of Garland, NE and Adam (Pam) Wright of Cozad, NE; grandchildren, Kamara (Adam) Wolfe and their daughter Penelope, Ian (Callie) Wright and their children Alton and Islay, Kyle Lennemann (Elise Peterson), Ashlee Lennemann (fiancé Josh Rathman), Hanna Wright (Kass Cochran), Grady Wright (Brooke Peters) and Lane Wright; sister Ardyce (Hansen) Dickey, brother in law Gene Dickey of Cozad, NE and sister in law Nancy (Wright) Harding, brother in law Steve Harding of Lincoln, NE.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family in her name for later designation. Marty’s wishes were to be cremated.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Berryman Funeral Home is assisting the family