Memorial

Meinard C. Wright of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully Thursday October 22, 2026. Meinard was born November 21, 1941, to James E. and Frances A. Backstrom.  She was a 1959 graduate of Jefferson High School. Meinard was joined in marriage to Mr. John Henry Wright on January 26, 1963. 

Meinard was employed by Collins Radio and left there to complete her college education at Kirkwood and Mt. Mercy Colleges. After graduation she returned to Rockwell and retired in 1996. Meinard was very active in Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where she was a Deaconess, church clerk and church musician. She was a member of N.A.A.C.P., Grand Treasure of Electra chapter of O.E.S a member of the Iowa chapter Delta Sigma Beta an who’s who of American women. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband brothers, Lewis Patterson Jr, James Backstrom Jr, Robert Backstrom and Larry Baker Jr, nephews, Michael Dean Backstroke and Craig Patterson.

Survived by son John L. Wright, two grandsons, Dawayne Medly and Jayelle Wright. Six great grandsons and two great granddaughters.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday November 3, 2026, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m.  Memorial services will be held on Wednesday November 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, in Cedar Rapids.  The burial will take place at  12:00 p.m. on Thursday November 5, 2026, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.