WRIGHT, Viva “Vi” Kenney

Viva “Vi” Kenney Wright, 80 years of age from Minden, Nebraska died on Monday, August 15, 2011 at the Kearney County Health Services-Hospital in Minden. Vi was born on June 5, 1931 in Eddyville, NE to John and Mildred (Spellmeyer) Fees. She grew up in the Eddyville area and graduated from Eddyville High School in 1948. On July 28, 1950 she married Thomas Kenney. They lived in Kearney, Hastings and then moved to Minden in the late 50's. Vi babysat, cleaned for the City of Minden and later worked at Long Term Care. She enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, dancing, was an avid NU fan but most of all she loved being around her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She especially liked the holiday family get togethers. Tom died in 1993 and Vi later married Don Wright. Don died in 2002. Vi was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church in Minden, the alter society and had taught CCD. Survivors include three daughters, Tamara Haynes and her husband, Stan of Winner, South Dakota, Brenda Smith and her husband, Tracy of York and Alicia Porter and her husband, Steve of Blue Springs; two sons, Timothy Kenney of Minden and Robert Kenney of Lincoln; twelve grandchildren, Luke Kenney, Travis Haynes and his wife, Krista, Brett Haynes, Christopher Haynes and his wife, Ashley, Nicholas Haynes and his wife, Lindsey, MaKayla Kenney, Avery Kenney, Reilly Kenney, Hailey Kenney, Zachary Smith, Ashley Newton and her husband, Tyler and Drew Porter; four great grandchildren, Kya Haynes, Ethan Haynes, Rigs Newton and Caeden Massa; four step daughters, Dana Faber of Minden, Dixie Fisher of Grand Island, Darla Covert and her husband, Bob of Kearney and Dione Steinbrink and her husband, Rocky of Kearney; ten step grandchildren; eleven step great grandchildren; and one sister, Betty Lovitt of Oconto. She is preceded in death by her two husbands, daughter, Debra Jensen, son, Thomas Kenney, son in-law, Lynn Jensen, and two grandchildren, Thomas Lynn Smith and Elijah Jensen and three sisters. Funeral services will be on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John's Catholic Church in Minden with Father Nicholas Baker officiating. Burial will be in the Minden Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Layton-Craig Funeral Home in Minden on Wednesday from 3:30 until 5:00 p.m. Rosary will be recited on Wednesday evening at the church at 7:00 p.m.