Wilma "Nonie" Irene Wright

Wilma Irene Hitshew

Wilma Irene "Nonie" Wright,age 78, of Douglas and Lost Springs, passed away April 9, 2001 at the Michael Manor in Douglas. A funeral service was held Saturday afternoon, 2 p.m., at the Cicmanec-Pier Funeral Home in Lusk with elder Robert Hildebrand officiating. Internment followed in the Dellview Cemetery at Manville, Wyoming.

Wilma Irene Hitshew was born December 27, 1922 to Oliver and Mary Minerva Hatten Hitshew at the ranch home six miles north of Keeline, Wyoming. They were attended by Dr. George Murphy and a neighbor, Irean Dupes. She was named after her mother's cousin,Wilma Johnson,and Irean Dupes.

Wilma rode horseback to start and attended the Chalk Buttes county school for one year; she attended the Manville School for grades 2nd through 4th, staying with her grandmother Mattie Hitshew while in school. She attended the Keeline school for 5th grade through the 8th, and then back to Manville for high school, graduating in 1940. She attended college at Colorado's college from 1940 until 1942. She was a member of the Wyoming club, Economics club, and Delta Tau Kappa. She graduated in 1942 with an A.S., Red Cross home nursing certificate and a Certificate in proficiency in indexing and filing.

She married Eugene Oliver Wright on April 10, 1943 at Harrison,Nebraska. They made thier home in the Keeline and Lost Springs area. They had one son born on July 21, 1949 in a remodeled Prisoner of War Camp Hospital in Douglas, Wyoming.

Wilma taught school at the Eddy School from 1942 until 1943. She later taught the Keeline lower grades in the spring of 1947 and did occasional substitute teaching. In addition to helping with all phases of the farm and ranch operation, Wilma also worked as a clerk at the sale barn in Lusk and Douglas.

Wilma was a 4-H leader and director for several years. She was the Niobrara 4-H woman outstanding leader in 1968. She served as Niobrara County Fair 4-H superintendent for several years and recieved two 4-H Scholarships to the Laramie 4-H Conference. She was the Niobrara County Historian for one year, a member of the Lost Springs Bible Study Group and the Keeline 5280 Club.

Wilma is survived by Kenneth Wright of Lost Springs, one son , Nyle Wright of Gillette, one brother William Hitshew of Glenrock, four grandchildren, Jeff of Arizona, Rebecca of Sherdan, Tim of Laramie, and Allison of Powell; two great grandchildren, Braden and Andrew White of Douglas.

A memorial has been established at the Michael Manor in Douglas.

The Cicmanee-Pier Funeral Home in Lusk is in charge of the arrangements.

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