Ariana Wright

Ariana Ariel Wright, 15, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away on November 11, 2024, at Children's Hospital in Omaha.

The daughter of Alaina Babe Sandoval, raised by Danny and Sara Wright, Ariana was born on March 9, 2009, in North Platte, Nebraska. Ariana attended her freshman year at North Platte High School and transferred to Kearney High School for her sophomore year. She was also a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Ariana made a lasting impact on her family and friends with her bright spirit and caring nature. She loved spending time with her family and cherished the moments she shared with her siblings.

Ariana loved horses, riding them, and always wanted to have one. She had a special connection with pets, including our gray cat Smokey, who would sit on her lap while she ate. She enjoyed carnival rides and loved eating ice cream and cookies at night while everyone was asleep. She loved her new job as a hostess at Little Mexico, jumping on the trampoline, and celebrating the Fourth of July by watching fireworks with Dad. She loved Christmas and decorating the tree, liked having her hair braided before school, and talked about playing volleyball for the Huskers! Go Big Red. She played basketball and volleyball, ran track, and enjoyed jumping over hurdles. She loved playing video games on the Xbox, including Fortnite, Minecraft, and Call of Duty/Zombies, and enjoyed wrestling around.

Ariana never wanted to get up for school, took long showers, and loved watching scary movies like Godzilla, Spider-Man, and Edward Scissorhands. She enjoyed eating Takis, pizza, tacos, Runza, Raising Cane's, Jolly Ranchers, Sour Patch Kids, Scooter's, and Starbucks. She attended her first concert at NebraskaLand Days, featuring Jelly Roll; her favorite artists were Zach Bryan and Jessie Murph. She was adventurous, loved nature, and her favorite colors were green and purple. She loved soft blankets, Squishmallows, Birkenstocks, Converse, and Nike. She had the biggest heart, a contagious smile, and was caring, protective, and a goofball. She will be truly missed.

Ariana was preceded in death by her mother, Alaina Babe Sandoval, and her grandmother, Mercy Geraldine Yellowshirt King.

Ariana is survived by her adoptive parents, Sara and Danny Wright of North Platte; her siblings, Alicia (Trevor) Johnson, Isabelle Elaine Wright (18), Gabriel William Wright (9), and Olivia Wilma Wright (3); her maternal grandfather, Meliton (Sandra) Sandoval of Ogallala; and her paternal grandparents, Lela Hall of Brewster and Larry Wright of North Platte. Aunts and uncles include Matthew Wright and Stephanie Moorehouse, Angelo Sandoval, Raymond Sandoval, Emily Sandoval, Amanda Sandoval, Gloria Knoles, Santos Sandoval, and Robert Sandoval. Nieces and nephews include Dallas Murphy, Charlie Johnson, and Bentley Johnson.

Services will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at New Hope Church in Ogallala with Pastor Matt Waitley officiating. No interment of cremains is planned at this time.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Arrangements are in the care of Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala.