Shirley Jean Wright

Shirley Jean Wright (Raines), 92, a resident of New Perspectives Senior Living in Roseville, MN, passed away on Wednesday, July 1st, 2020 surrounded by family.

Shirley was born on February 20th, 1928 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Chris and Lillian Paulson (Nelson). The family moved to Hastings, Nebraska where she graduated from Hastings High School. She then returned to Minnesota and took a job at Security State Bank in Albert, Lea.

Shirley was united in marriage to Roger Raines on February 11th, 1950 and moved to Alden, Minnesota. They raised five children together until Roger’s death in 1979. She worked at Land O’ Lakes, Café Don’l and St. Johns Nursing Home.  Shirley was united in marriage to Lloyd Wright on February 11th, 1997 and moved to Hastings, Nebraska where she inherited a second loving family until Lloyds death in 1998.

Shirley will be remembered as a kind, loving and gentle teacher to her children and grandchildren, with a sweet humble spirit and a willingness to care for people in need. She was devoted to her faith as a member of both Alden United Methodist Church and Calvary Baptist Church in Albert Lea where she served as a volunteer for many church activities. She delivered Meals on Wheels, sewed quilts for missions and offered rides to the doctor for anyone in need. Shirley loved gardening, nature, sewing, music and spending time with her friends and family.

She is survived by her children, Ken and his wife, Kathy Raines (Liska) of Eau Claire, WI. Kathy and her husband, Pat Suer of Brooklyn Center, MN, Jeanine Zanosko of Coon Rapids, MN, Judy and her husband, Pat Corrigan of Ramsey, MN, Kay and her husband, Randy Kuster of Rochester, MN.  Grandchildren include, Chris (Jill) Raines, Beth (Chris) Skantz, Jill (Erik) Pearson, Aaron (Jaime) Suer, Jeremy (Sara) Kuster, Travis (Kendra) Kuster, Tricia (Rodney) Piepho. and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by stepdaughter-in-law, Rogene Wright of Hastings, NE, stepson, Roger (Mary Ann) Wright of Hastings, NE, stepdaughter, Gloria (Neal) Katzberg, Juanita, NE, 8 step-grandchildren, and 16 step-great-grandchildren.  

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Roger, her husband, Lloyd, her sister, Dorothy Paulson, her brother, Donald Paulson, her granddaughter, Brittany Kuster, her stepson, Ronald Wright and her stepdaughter, and step-son-in-law, Beverly and Gary Bruntz.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 6th at 11:00 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert, Lea, MN. There will be a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will take place following the service at Graceland Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association.