Janice Irene Wright

Janice Irene (Helmold) Wright, 91, of West Branch, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on November 24, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 1, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bennett. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. After the service, family and friends are invited to a luncheon at the American Legion Hall in Bennett, followed by interment at Tipton Masonic Cemetery. Memorials may be designated to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Born July 5, 1934, in Cedar County, Janice was the daughter of Wilbert Fred and Ella Martha (Kleppe) Helmold. She was the younger twin to Jean, arriving moments later and often joking that her mother “kicked Jean out first, but held on to her longer.” Alongside siblings Alberta, Maynard, and Marilyn, Janice and Jean shared a close bond and a childhood filled with outdoor adventures, farm chores, and imaginative play.

Janice loved spending time with her father, especially helping with livestock and harvest. Indoors, she learned cooking, baking, and canning from her mother—skills she carried throughout her life. Though she never mastered her mom’s rolls, Janice became known for her pies, jelly, and holiday treats. She also had a lifelong love for ironing, starting as a child and continuing into adulthood with meticulous care.

On June 18, 1953, Janice married Paul Eugene Wright at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bennett. Their love story began at Highway Gardens, where Paul first asked Jean to dance. Jean declined, but Janice accepted—and from that moment, their bond grew into a marriage of nearly 67 years. Together they raised three children: Mary Ann, Sandra, and Douglas. Janice was a devoted homemaker and gentle mother, always letting Paul handle discipline while she offered quiet support and unconditional love.

Janice was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a woman of deep faith. She loved harvest time, her flower gardens—especially red carnations and roses—and watching birds, with the red cardinal being her favorite. She was happiest outdoors, whether feeding livestock, scooping stalls, or delivering hot meals to the fields.

Despite vision challenges for more than 50 years, Janice never let her limitations define her. She prepared three square meals a day, remembered recipes by heart, and gave directions using landmarks and house colors with astonishing accuracy. Her memory remained vivid, her hearing sharp, and her spirit strong. She continued to cook, bake, and host holiday gatherings, always insisting on feeding her guests no matter the hour.

Janice had a wonderful sense of humor and a big, beautiful heart. She loved her family fiercely and treasured her grandchildren. Even in her final months, after losing her sight completely, Janice never lost her vision for the good in the world. Her final words before passing were, “We should pray.”

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul Wright; daughter, Mary Ann Slach; sister, Alberta Warren; brother, Maynard Helmold; daughter-in-law, Patricia Ford; and brothers-in-law, Marvin Beer, Carl Warren and Marvin Wright.

Janice is survived by her children, Sandra (Gene) Eiselstein and Douglas (Anita) Wright; sisters, Jean Beer, and Marilyn (Herb) Bain; sister-in-law, Nancy Helmold; son-in-law, Cecil Slach; grandchildren, Courtney (Micky) Hansen, Stephanie (Darren) Fry, Chelsea Puls, Tiffany Priddy, Kaitlin (Jacob) Gleason, and Josh (Becky) Wright; and great-granddaughter, Lexi Fry.