April Jean Wright, formerly April Ardelle Lessard and April Jean Van De Hey, 57, of Oshkosh, passed away in her sleep on April 18, 2026 after a life long battle with chronic conditions.
April was born on January 21, 1969. She grew up with many parental figures including Margaret “Peggy” Salentine, foster mother and Ken and Kathy Van De Hey, adopted parents. She grew up in Waukesha area and spent most of her adult life in Green Bay and Waupaca. April graduated from Kettle Moraine High School in 1987. April attended Waukesha County Technical College in 1988. April also attended UW-Whitewater, where she graduated with an associate’s degree in art studies.
April desired to be an artist and spent much of her free time drawing and painting.
April met her ex-spouse, Gordan Alfred Rodney Wright, 62 of Oshkosh while attending Waukesha Area Technical College in 1988. They were married in Waukesha in 1999. They had two children, Breccan Rowen Eoin Wright and Abigail Zoe Hannah Wright. They were divorced in 1997. April had one other child Joshua Jordan Benjamin Crisman who was adopted out of the family.
April is preceded by her beloved cat, Pumpkin, who passed away two weeks prior to her.
Their spirits are now at rest with each other once more. She is survived by Breccan of Menasha, Abigail of Oshkosh, Joshua, Gordon of Oshkosh, Ken (Kathy) Van De Hey and Peggy Salentine of Greenleaf.
April did not desire to have a public funeral. A private memorial service will take place at a future date for close family members. If you would like to honor April with a gift, a GoFundMe is being established. Your support is greatly appreciated as her passing was quite sudden.