Kathy Jo Wright

Kathryn Jo Hansen Wright died at home on Monday, January 13, 2025, with her three children by her side. Kathy was born on June 10, 1954, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was the second child born of three to Kay and Edna Hansen.

Kathy moved to American Falls her junior year of high school. She graduated from American Falls High School in 1972 and went on to take some college classes at Idaho State University with her bestest friend Debbie Tiede. It was during her senior year of high school that she met her greatest love, Douglas Ray Wright. The two were later married in American Falls, Idaho, on September 15, 1973.

Kathy’s greatest passion was being an educator. She, along with Debbie Tiede, Patty Porath, Rita Funk, Monte Swanson, Ellen Faye Roth, Loy Burgemeister, Audrey Sherman and Marge Groom taught at St. John’s Preschool from 1987 to 2005. In those 18 years, St. John’s taught over 2,000 children. When the girls retired from teaching, she wasn’t done with education, becoming a teacher assistant at William Thomas Middle School. She worked in the seventh grade English classroom of Kim West for most of her 17 years at WTMS. She loved working with all the students she had the opportunity to teach. She was also everyone’s FAVORITE checker at Ken’s Food Market for a number of years. Let us not forget all the smiles she shared with residents of Power County as a poll worker. Her work ethic was certainly one of her strongest characteristics.

Kathy had a dry, yet quick wit and an amazing sense of humor. She was always thoughtful and caring to those she came in contact with. She was especially giving and made sure everyone got a card on their birthday or a note at Christmas. 

Kathy and her small family always enjoyed Christmas at Grammy and Papa Hansen’s, going to sporting events, and traveling with family and friends. In her spare time Kathy loved reading and watching murder mysteries, going to the Morrison Center with her sister Deborah Blackburn and friend Suzi Johnson for Broadway productions, getting frustrated with Fishdom and back in the day she was quite the golfer on the American Falls Ladies Golf League. She also enjoyed doing arts and crafts with her friends.

Her greatest joy and accomplishment are her children and grandchildren. Kathy always made sure each of her children had all of her love and encouragement. She has sliced hundreds of oranges, curled and braided hair, watched youth football games with her hands over her face and shouted at referees - she loved her children. Beyond that, Kathy was the number one grandma-momma! The attention and love she showered on her grandchildren is beyond measure. Grandma-momma made sure each of her grandchildren felt special and supported.

Kathy will be remembered for the love and joy she found in traveling with her family and friends, her affinity for classic movies and television shows; she especially loved anything and everything on BritBox and the BBC.

She is survived by her three children Emily Wright, Patrick (Lillie) Wright, Shane (Devin) Wright; sister Deborah Blackburn, brother Kerry (Jill) Hansen and cousin Tom (Laura) Curtis; seven grandchildren including Stephan Wright, Leila Wright, Teresa Castro, Joryn Wright, Locke Wright, Jack Wright and Briar Wright; Kathy was also a great grandmother to six great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Douglas and parents, Kay and Edna Hansen.

Kathy’s family is extremely humbled by the support shown and shared by the American Falls community. They give special thanks to the staff of nurses and doctors at both Power County Hospital and Portneuf Medical, her amazing care team from Heritage Home Health and Hospice, her American Falls School District family, and all the numerous friends who have shared stories and condolences.

There will never be another like our mommy. She was an absolutely genuine individual who cared for everyone who cared for her. Mom was heartbroken after Dad died. Now they are together, in each other's arms, and that gives us peace.

Kathy will be laid to rest next to her love on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Falls View Cemetery in American Falls, Idaho at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages everyone to take the time to see your family and friends. Make sure the people you love are okay and know they are loved.

A graveside service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday January 18, 2025, at the Falls View Cemetery in American Falls. To order flowers, or to share condolences, memories, and photos, please visit DavisRoseMortuary.com.