Ellen Mary Plants-Wright

August 3, 1929 - January 1, 2019

Ellen Mary Plants Wright, 89, of Pella, died Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at the Cottages in Pella. Ellen was born Saturday, August 3, 1929, north of Lovilla, the daughter of Emil Kraber Sr. and Johannah Keegel Kraber. Ellen attended County Line #11 School in Monroe County. Being the oldest of 12 children, following school, Ellen stayed home to help care for her siblings. She later moved to Albia where she went to work at Cassie’s Café. She was united in marriage to Leslie Plants on December 12, 1947 in Albia. Following marriage, they moved from rural Albia to Oskaloosa. In Oskaloosa, she worked for Charlie Arwieler Realty, then the Oskaloosa Produce and, Firestone Hardware. In 1972, she went to work at Rolscreen (now Pella Corp.) in Pella, she retired from there in 1981. She and Leslie moved to Springfield, Missouri, after her retirement from Pella Corp. Leslie died on March 29, 1993. Following Leslie’s death Ellen stayed in Springfield. She worked as part-time holiday help at Bass Pro Shop in Springfield. She also spent many hours volunteering for Hospice in Springfield sitting with patients in their homes and making pillows. On November 2, 2001, Ellen was united in marriage to Harper Wright in Springfield, Missouri. Harper died in March of 2005. In July of 2016 she moved to Pella to be closer to her family. Ellen enjoyed traveling and camping with Leslie and trips to Branson to watch shows. She also enjoyed quilting with her husband Harper. She was a devoted caregiver, she loved to help people and was very generous with her time. She loved little kids and always looked forward to welcoming new babies to her family. Her family includes her three children, (Leslie) Clayton Plants of Springfield, Missouri, Elsie Marie Young of Springfield, Missouri, and John William (Nancy) Plants of Pella; six grandchildren, Kelly (Dan) Golden, Todd (Heather) Plants, Lora Van Kooten, Lisa Van Kooten, Cory Plants, and Jarrod (Melissa) Plants; fourteen great-grandchildren; eight siblings, Casey Ann Dowd of Moravia, Clarence Kraber of Ottumwa, Lawrence (& Nikki) Kraber of Oskaloosa, George Kraber of Bussey, Connie Kraber of Oskaloosa, Mary Brennan of Carlisle, JoAnn (& Glen) Gladson of Des Moines, and Agnes Fields of Rock Hill, South Carolina; a sister in law, Linda Kraber of Eddyville; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Leslie Plants and Harper Wright; and one sister, Bonnie Rebarcak; two brothers, Emil Kraber, Jr. and Ed Kraber; brothers and sisters in law, Donald Dowd, Leo Gladson, Dick Brennan, Roy Plants, Raymond Plants, and Mabel Main. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Chaplain Elaine Jones officiating. Burial will be held in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin after 12 noon on Friday, January 4, 2019, in the Bates Funeral Chapel with the family present from 5-7 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be given to Variety Club of Iowa and Wesley Life Hospice.