Wanda Marie Wright

Wanda Marie Wright was born on July 11th, 1933 in Junction City, Kansas, the daughter of Ephraim Thomas Enzor and Bessie Mae Segrist Enzor. She lived a full and blessed life. She passed away age 92 on July 15th at home with family.

She grew up in Junction City, Kansas as one of four siblings, where she fell in love with her high school sweetheart, Claude LeRoy Wright, Jr. They were married August 24th, 1951 for almost fifty years, until his death on June 14th, 2001. Together they raised eight beloved children.

Wanda studied the Bible at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma and Manhattan Christian College. A devout Christian her entire life, she and her husband were founding members of Rolling Hills Christian Church in Topeka, Kansas. She and Claude ministered together at churches in Kansas and Illinois. They also opened and ran a Gambino’s Pizza in north Topeka, growing to three additional restaurants with the help of their hardworking family.

She loved everyone: kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and friends, of which there were many. Everyone was her favorite and everyone was welcome for dinner. Christmas, her favorite holiday, was celebrated with traditions like Italian spaghetti and meatballs, opening presents with family, and Grandma Lena’s cookies. In addition to her children, she raised many pets — favoring poodles, dachshunds, and Siamese cats.

A skilled crocheter, she made baby afghans for her grandkids and great-grandkids and blankets that filled many homes with warmth. Her favorite songs were the old hymns; she loved reading scripture and sharing her faith. Spending time with family was what she loved most of all — especially if it involved shopping. With company, she did puzzles, played dominoes, and never lost a game of Chinese checkers. She loved onions on everything, Kansas sunflowers, and the Wizard of Oz. She collected dolls, Beanie Babies, and grandkids.

She is survived by her children: Dr. Richard “Rick” (Marta) Wright of Manhattan; Ronald “Ron” (Denise) Wright of Wichita; Karen (Frank) Seel of Topeka; Wendy (Adam) Hoffman of Topeka; Marcia (Randy) James of Topeka; Jonathan “Jon” Wright of Topeka; Dr. Claudia (John) Bode of Lawrence; and twenty grandchildren, Benjamin Deemer, Amanda Deemer, Zachary (Jen) Wright and their children, Nichole and Shirley, Luke (Shanna) Wright and their children, Tobias Joel, Melanie, and Gillian, Kendra (Brad) Shank and their children Caleb, Samuel, and Cora, Valerie Wright and her children Shelby, Bailey, Emily, Kathran, Kylee, Lily, and Spencer, Megan (Shawn) Perry and their children Chace, Cruz, Milania, Cash, Claude, and Gianni, Nathaniel (Kayla) Seel and their children Brayden, Brody, and Maliyah, Joshua (Haley) Wright and their children Jettson, Mavis, and Jaxon, Katie (Jose) Cardenas and their children Lucca and Micah, Nicole (Ryan) Stanfill and their children Adeline and Isaac, Whitney (Caleb) Desch and their children Taegan and Zoe, Jordan (Brianna) James and their children Easton and Oakley, Monica (Tyler) Dutton and their children Leland and Vivian, Cassidy (Eric) Roberson, Clara Bode, Nicolette Bode, Annalisa Wright, Isabella Wright, and Sadie Wright, and one great-grandchild on the way.

Wanda was preceded in death by her beloved husband in 2001, her son David Wright in 2020, and her siblings Bessie Mae Lear, Fred Enzor, Irene Wolfe, and Harold Enzor.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 18th at the Parker Price Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka.

A celebration of life funeral service will be at Rolling Hills Christian Church at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 19th. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka.

Memorial contributions can be made to Rolling Hills Christian Church, 4530 Northwest Hiawatha Place, Topeka, KS 66618 or to Manhattan Christian College, 1415 Anderson, Manhattan, KS 66502.

She was the anchor of her family, a matriarch of her church, and a source of warmth and kindness for so many.

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