Oliva Alphine Wright, 87, of Grinnell, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the U.C.C. Congregational, Grinnell, IA with burial at Bethany Cemetery, Hamilton County, IA. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church. Family will greet friends for a visitation from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Friday, April 4, 2025 at Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell, IA.

Oliva was born on April 15, 1937, at home on her family's farm in rural Radcliffe, Hamilton County, Iowa, to Ole and Beatrice (Anderson) Reisetter. She was raised on the farm where she attended a one-room country school before graduating from Radcliffe High School with the Class of 1955.

In 1956, Oliva married Larry Nott, and together they had three children: Les, Pam, and Steve. After their marriage ended in divorce, Oliva married Stephen Wright in 1973 and welcomed two more children: Kerry and Mark. Oliva and Stephen were later divorced.

A hardworking and determined mother, Oliva supported her family as a single parent by working at Farm Best Foods processing hogs, serving as a union secretary, and mowing lawns on weekends. After she remarried, she became a beloved in-home daycare provider for over 30 years, nurturing countless children within her community. Oliva was known for her independence and resilience, never hesitating to take on challenges to provide for her family.

Oliva was deeply involved in her community. She served on the Grinnell City Council and was an active member of PEO and the Grinnell U.C.C. Congregational Church, where she directed the children's education program for several years. She was one of the recipients of the "Leave it Better Than you Found it" award from the Claude and Dolly Ahrens Foundation in 1995. Oliva was appointed by Gov. Tom Vilsack to serve on the Governor's Child Care and Early Education Task Force in 1999-2000. She also shared her creativity by being involved in the Grinnell Art Council and teaching continuing education classes at the Iowa Valley Community College.

In her free time, Oliva enjoyed gardening; sewing; arts and crafts; decorating her home, event spaces, and her church; keeping up with current events and the news; telling stories about her childhood; and spending time with her friends and family.

She is survived by her children: Pam (Jeff) Alger, Steve (Jill) Wright, Kerry (Dave) Scott, and Mark Wright; daughter-in-law Raffaella Nott; grandchildren: Eric (Stephanie) Nott, Andrew (Ashleigh) Wright, Anna (Clark) Baldus, Tanner Alger, Chloe Alger, and Kennedy Haag; great-grandchildren Sophia and Zachary Nott; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Oliva was preceded in death by her son Les Nott; her grandson, Leif Nott; and siblings Bervin Nelson (Kathy), Charlotte Lucille Nelson, Luther Nelson (Karen), David Nelson (Sherri), and Marion Reisetter (Judy).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Grinnell Area Arts Council. Memorials may be mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Oliva's family at www.smithfh.com