Martha Janet Wright, 86, died on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at Dunlap Specialty Care. She was born on April 12, 1939, to David and Rheta (Edwards) Rannells in a small farmhouse outside of Dunlap. She attended country school and then Dunlap High School, graduating with the class of 1957. Martha was united in marriage to Bill Evans on Dec. 21, 1957, at the Methodist Church and they were blessed with three children. Bill’s job took them to Kansas for a short time and then they returned to Dunlap. She worked part time at McKinney’s produce, making bouquet arrangements, at the Dunlap school and then as Dunlap City Clerk. Martha married Bob Wright in August of 1977, and they moved to Emerson, where she worked at Kmart. In 1990 they moved back to Dunlap, and she worked part time at ‘Something Special’. Martha and Bob had many beautiful years together before Bob’s passing in 2003.
Martha was a lifelong member of the Methodist church and was a member of Eastern Star. She enjoyed reading and especially liked to surround herself with beautiful flowers. Martha treasured the time spent with children and grandchildren.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob Wright; former husband, Bill Evans; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and David Westphal. She is survived by her three children, Paula Evans of Dunlap, Nathan (Luana) Evans of Omaha, Neb. and Duncan (Melinda) Evans of Omaha; stepdaughters, Kimberly (Fred) Landon, Patricia (Marty) Scarpello, Jacqueline Benevento and Christine (James) Parker all of Omaha; four grandchildren, Christie (Michael) Sadjadi, Eric (Bobbi) Sindt, Collin Evans and Abigail Evans; two great-grandchildren, Owen and Jaxson Sindt; brother, David Allen (Pat) Rannells of San Diego, Calif.; and many other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, at United Methodist Church in Dunlap. Pastor Aaron Terwilleger presided over the service. The recorded musical selections were “Holly, Holy” by Neil Diamond, “Amazing Grace” by Alan Jackson and “The Blue Danube”. The honorary pallbearers were Jaxson Sindt, John Lacey and Brent Meeves. The pallbearers were Owen Sindt, Collin Evans, James Lacey, Brice Meeves, Bryan Skalberg and Scott Albright. Martha’s final resting place is at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
