Dwight attended a one room country school and Milo High School. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, IA and the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, CA. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958 and attended USAFI, 16 months in Korea at the US Armed Forces Institute.
On October 22, 1955, Dwight was united in marriage to Patricia Damman at the First United Methodist Church in Newton, IA.
Dwight held his funeral directors license in Iowa for 60+ years and was a member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association. He worked as a funeral director in Des Moines, Newton, Winterset and Creston, Iowa prior to coming to Lincoln to work for Roper and Sons Funeral Home where he retired after 50 years.
Dwight was a member of Christ Place Church where he volunteered in guest services and prayer team, Lincoln Chapter, Nebraska and National Societies-Sons of the American Revolution, former member of Lincoln Downtown Rotary International Club #14 with 20 years perfect attendance, Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, served 3 years as hospitality chair for Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, former vice president of Board of Directors for the Peoples City Mission, former member of the former Lincoln University Club. For many years, Dwight was the organist, pianist, and vocalist for various churches and sang for many funerals for Roper & Sons.
Dwight’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his family and following his grandchildren’s activities.
Family members include his son Timothy Wright, Ft. Meyers, FL; daughter Mary (Robb) Linafelter, Lincoln; grandchildren Andrew (Lainie) Linafelter, Overland Park, KS, Emily (Isaac) Kurtenbach, Aurora, and Turner Linafelter (fiancé Leonora Krajewski), Chesapeake, VA; 3 great grandchildren Xander and Charlotte Linafelter, Henry Kurtenbach; special friend Carolyn Cook; nieces and nephews Sandra Wright and Marva (Dave) Wrightsman, all of Grandville, MI, Diane (Lonnie) Burgmaier, Creston, IA, and Linda (Carl) Roose, Pleasant Hill, IA, Allen Davey, Ankeny, IA, Leo (Deanna) Davey, Milo, IA, Keith Snith, Baxter, IA, and Larry (Joni) Birkenholtz, Baxter, IA; grand nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, wife Pat, brother Idris and wife Vera, sister Othella Davey, and brother-in-law Roy Davey.
Funeral service: 11:00 am Saturday, January 6, 2024, Roper & Sons SOUTH LINCOLN CHAPEL, 3950 HOHENSEE DRIVE. The family requests the men attending wear bow ties. Livestream will be available 10 minutes preceding service start time.
Visitation with family present will be Friday, January 5, 2024, from 5-7 pm, Roper & Sons MIDTOWN CHAPEL, 4300 ‘O’ St.
Memorials to Christ Place Church, Peoples City Mission, and The Monarch.