General Information
Full Name: Melinda Wright
Date of Birth: April 30, 1968
Date of Death: August 12, 2013
Melinda’s life story
Melinda Sue Wright
On April 30, 1968 in Waconia, MN, Melinda Sue Ulrich was born to parents Benjamin and Darlene Ulrich. She was the middle child of three children. Melinda’s childhood years were spent in Norwood Young America. She was Salutatorian of her graduating class of 1986.
She attended the University of Minnesota where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Russian studies. She later received her certification as a PHR (Professional Human Resources) and was close to completing her master’s program in that field. The last nine years of her career, she focused in the field of human resources and was currently employed at Aerospace Engineering, where she was a Human Resources Generalist.
Following their first date at Captain Jack’s on Prior Lake and a period of courtship, Melinda married Lawrence Wright on April 7, 2007 in Jamaica. They enjoyed traveling, making subsequent trips to Bahamas as well as Bali, Singapore and many parts of the Caribbean.
Melinda took pride in a humanitarian trip she took to Russia, where she helped care for the young in an orphanage. She enjoyed her book club, yard work, baking and being a host mom for a foreign exchange student. She had a passion as a volunteer and mentor for the following breast cancer organizations; Fourth Angel Organization, American Cancer Society and the M. D. Anderson Volunteer Organization. Melinda was also a published author with her story published in the book Inspired 2 Survive.
A loving, courageous and intelligent woman, Melinda died peacefully, surrounded by her family on August 13, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee at the age of 45.
She will be deeply missed by her husband; Lawrence Wright, mother; Darlene Ulrich of Norwood Young America, brothers; Curtis (Michelle) Ulrich of Cambridge, Jeffrey Ulrich of Norwood Young America, father in law; James (Brenda) Wright of Charlotte, sister in law, Lisa (Jimmy) Polk of Philadelphia and her two dachsund’s Reggie and Winston.
Melinda is preceded in death by her father, Benjamin Ulrich, mother in law; Ernestine Wright
Pall bearers for Melinda will be Corey Day, Pat Bohmbach, Shawn Towle, Paul Thomas, Cary Tankson, Jeffrey Ulrich.
The visitation will be on Thursday, August 15, 2013 from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. The Celebration of Life Service will be on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 11 am with visitation starting at 10 am at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 N Beren’s Road NW, Prior Lake. Pastor Diana Hunstad will preside.
The Wright family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Prior Lake, Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Visitation
When:Thursday, August 15th, 4-7 pm
Location: Ballard Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, MN
Service Information
When: Friday, August 16th, 11:00 am
Location: Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church
Address: 3611 North Berens Road NW
Prior Lake
