Eugene R. Wright

Eugene "Gene" Reitzell Wright, age 73, of Wayzata, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, August 18, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.

Gene was born on November 28, 1951 to Reitzell and Norine (Shea) Wright in Primghar, IA. He grew up on the family farm, where he spent his childhood helping with chores and harvesting crops while developing a love for his studies, band, and baseball.

After graduating from Sanborn High School in 1970, Gene went on to attend Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa. It was there that he met the love of his life, Diane Marie Ollendick. They were married on August 16, 1975, in Cresco, Iowa, and celebrated their honeymoon with a memorable trip to Hawaii.

Shortly after, Gene and Diane moved to Madison, where Gene earned his MBA from the University of Wisconsin. He majored in Finance with an emphasis in Accounting and Taxation.

Gene and Diane relocated to Minnesota in 1977 where Gene joined Price Waterhouse and progressed to Tax Manager. He went on to work for Froehling Anderson and a few others before deciding to open his own practice in 1991. He continued to work until a few months before his death and genuinely loved his work and clients.

Diane and Gene added three children to their family, Danielle Marie, Makenzie Mae, and Natasha Catherine. His daughters recall his commitment to their education, passion for learning, and love of traveling the world together as a family. As Gene would say each morning, “Work hard, play hard, and don’t forget to ask good questions.”

There is nothing else that Gene would rather be doing than walleye fishing; he looked forward to regular fishing trips to Lake Okoboji, Great Slave Lake, Lake of the Woods, and the annual Ollendick trip to Lake “Winnie”. He was fishing up until a couple weeks before he passed.

He also enjoyed making Diane laugh, alpine skiing, spending time with his college friends, playing 500, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, and backpacking on Isle Royale with his nephews and daughters. Gene loved dancing with Diane, going out to lunch with Danielle, being active in nature with Makenzie, and attending Twins games with Natasha.

Some will remember Gene for his professionalism and dedication to his clients. Others will remember his sense of humor, incredibly detailed storytelling, and resourcefulness. He will be greatly missed by the many family, friends, and clients whose lives he touched.

Gene is survived by his wife of 50 years, Diane; daughters Danielle (Benjy) Schirm of Buffalo, MN; Makenzie (Adam) Terlson of Shakopee, MN; and Natasha (Dan) Dorsch of Shakopee, MN,; and grandchildren, Ayden Terlson, Jude Schirm, Rowan Terlson, Anja Terlson, and Nathaniel Dorsch.

Gene is also survived by brothers Wray (Rachel) Wright and Joel (Kathy) Wright; sisters-in-law Suzanne Ollendick and Joyce Ollendick, brothers-in-law Gary (Sandy) Ollendick, Tom (Mary) Ollendick, Ken Ollendick, and Duane (Ginger) Ollendick; former sister-in-law, Marilyn; multiple nieces and nephews; and his college family, the “Third Floor Boars.”

Gene was preceded in death by his parents Reitzell and Norine Wright, brother Reitzell Wright, father and mother-in-law Alfred and Ivy Ollendick, brothers-in-law Ronald Ollendick and Richard Ollendick, and sister-in-law Donna Ollendick.

Visitation for Gene will be held on Thursday, August 22 at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels in Plymouth, MN, from 5:30-8:00pm (prayer and storytelling from 7:00-8:00pm). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Friday, August 23, 2025 at The Church of St. Bartholomew in Wayzata, MN with Fr. Steve Ulrick presiding and visitation beginning at 10:00 until the time of service. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco, IA at 2:00pm on Saturday, August 24.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute or to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research.