Lorraine Esther Wright

Lorraine Esther Wright, born in Decorah, Iowa, on November 20, 1931, passed away peacefully in Safety Harbor, Florida, on August 12, 2026, at the age of 94, and went home to Jesus. 

If you knew Lorraine, you knew she was anything but ordinary. She was beautiful, energetic, colorful, and full of life. Her vibrant personality filled every room, and her love for people and enthusiasm for living never faded. Lorraine didn’t simply live life—she, truly, enjoyed it. 

Born to Joseph and Thelma Skaim, Lorraine was the fifth of thirteen children and one of seven daughters. After Joseph passed away at a young age, Thelma married Leonard Larson, whom the children affectionately called “Daddy.” Together, Thelma and Leonard welcomed six more children, creating a wonderfully large family of nine girls and four boys. 

Lorraine attended Decorah High School and remained proud of her school and classmates throughout her life. She never missed a class reunion, cherishing friendships and memories that lasted a lifetime. 

On June 6, 1954, Lorraine married Richard “Dick” C. Wright. Together they built a loving family and raised three children: Jeffrey Scott, Steven Lance and Denise Marie. Dick passed away on October 19, 1988. Years later, Lorraine was blessed to find love again with Larry Schumacher. They shared many happy years together before marrying on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2018. Larry passed away on January 3, 2022. 

Lorraine had an incredible gift for connecting with people. For 50 years, she was a successful Tupperware manager, a career perfectly suited to her outgoing personality. Through her work, she built countless friendships that lasted far beyond the workplace. 

She loved to dance, travel, spend time with family and friends and dress beautifully. Known for her colorful wardrobe and impeccable style, Lorraine always looked as though she had stepped out of a magazine. She took pride in herself, having her hair done every week and her nails done every two weeks, right up until the end. 

That was Mom. 

She believed life was meant to be enjoyed. 

After Larry’s passing, Lorraine moved to Florida to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Although Florida became her home, Iowa always held a special place in her heart. She looked forward to returning often to visit family and lifelong friends. 

More than anything, Lorraine cherished her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, wife, and friend. She often spoke of how blessed she was to spend so much time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, treasuring every visit, conversation, celebration and memory. 

Lorraine also knew how fortunate she had been in love. She deeply loved both Dick and Larry, and each held a special place in her heart. Few people are blessed to experience such lasting love twice, and Lorraine never took that blessing for granted. 

A woman of strong faith, Lorraine trusted in the Lord throughout her life and, in the end, went home to Jesus surrounded by the love she had shared so generously with others. 

She was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, Richard “Dick” Wright and Larry Schumacher; her sons, Jeffrey Scott Wright and Steven Lance Wright; her son-in-law, Alan Herron; sisters, Thelma Sampson, Mildred Daniels, Jeanette Lein, Adeline Jensen, Gladys Howe and Darlene Klein; and brothers, Clark Larson and Harry Larson. She leaves behind her daughter, Denise Herron of Palm Harbor, Florida; daughter-in-law, San Wong of Des Moines, Iowa; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Markeata Schuler of Cedar Falls and Annmarie Ewing of Waterville; brothers, Daryl (Ellen) Larson of Waverly and David (Linda) Larson of Trenton, New Jersey; along with many nieces, nephews, dear friends and loved ones. 

Her family will remember her radiant smile, colorful style, laughter, dancing, love of travel, and the remarkable way she made ordinary days feel special. Most of all, they will remember a woman who embraced life with gratitude, faith and joy. 

Mom, you were beautiful inside and out. You lived with style, energy, faith, and a whole lot of color. You loved deeply, laughed often, danced whenever you could, and never stopped enjoying life. 

You were so blessed to have loved and been loved. And we were so blessed to have you. Rest peacefully, Mom. Go dance with Jesus. Until we meet again, we love you!

Lorraine’s Celebration of Life Service will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home of Cedar Falls. There will be an information gathering following the service. Private Burial will take place at St. Paul’s UCC Cemetery North of Cedar Falls. As most of her family lives out of state, please consider a memorial, in lieu of flowers, directed to her family towards the purchase of a bench to be placed on Honeymoon Island in Florida - Lorraine's favorite place!