Michael Joseph Wright
Michael Joseph Wright
Cedar Rapids
Michael Joseph Wright, 78, of Cedar Rapids, IA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospice, with his son and daughter by his side.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 6, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories Stateroom. A short visitation will take place on Friday, March 7, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Pius X Church prior to a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon will be held afterward, with burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
He is survived by his two children, Peter J. Wright of Milwaukee, WI and Margaret Ann (Jonathan) Blaisdell of Cedar Rapids, IA, and his cherished grandchildren, Adelynn Ann and Lucas William. He leaves behind his brothers, Gary (Joan) Wright of Lake Elmo, MN and Randy (Fatima) Wright of El Cajon, CA; Sara’s sisters and brothers, Mary Kay Jellison of Dubuque, IA; Amy (Willy) Gutierrez of Cedar Rapids, IA; Jim (Terri) Spahn of Marion, IA; Joe (Lora) Spahn of Asbury, IA; and Justin (Karen) Spahn of Glenwood, IA. He also leaves behind in-laws Doug McBride of Washington, IA; Winnie Wright of Marion, IA; Peg Corken of Bettendof, IA; and Cathy Spahn of Dubuque, IA; and countless nieces and nephews, as well as their generation of children.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sara Ann; parents, Robert and Enid Wright; his sister, Beth McBride; his brother, Dennis Wright; and his brothers-in-law, John Robert Spahn, Jeff Spahn, and Jay Jellison.
Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Mike graduated from Washington High School and attended Bemidji State University in Minnesota. He served during the Vietnam conflict in U.S. Navy intelligence, stationed in San Diego, CA; Adak, AK; Pensacola, FL; and the Philippines.
He earned his master’s degree from the University of Iowa and worked as a lifelong CPA for many local businesses. He concluded his career by dedicating 29 years at Moss Enterprises. Following his professional retirement in 2022 he was promoted to a tenured position as full-time Grandpa.
Mike’s true passion in life was his family — which more than doubled in size after marriage. It was a fortunate blind date that led him to the love of his life, Sara. Their ability to complement and augment each other was true perfection. For 44 years (…in a row) they were able to compromise, grow, and protect their family — all while never agreeing who won the tennis match on their first date. Their union was solidified with the blessed sacrament of marriage on April 29, 1978, at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque, IA.
Mike was a man of quiet strength and unwavering patience with a knack for telling stories and making others smile. He loved playing poker, cheering on the Cubs and Hawkeyes, and going on adventures by planes, trains, automobiles, and once, on a boat. Most of all, he loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He had a deep appreciation for The Beatles, conveyor belts, and a well-timed (or ill-timed) dad joke. His loved ones will fondly remember and greatly miss the way he could make them laugh, and roll their eyes.
Having come to the end of his earthly life — one rooted in kindness and compassion, where he always put family and friends first — he will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice (Cedar Rapids), the Freedom Foundation (Cedar Rapids), or the Beth McBride Memorial Scholarship (St. James School in Washington, IA).