Janet Kay (Lippert) Wright

Janet Kay (Lippert) Wright, age 78 of Albia, IA, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Ottumwa Regional Hospital in Ottumwa, IA. Janet was born on December 28, 1947, to Rex and Fern (Moore) Lippert in Bloomfield, IA. She attended high school at Moulton/Udell and graduated with the class of 1966. At 14 years old, a beautiful Janet joined the church choir and caught the eye of another singer, a dashing 16-year-old with hair like Elvis, named Ollie. Their love blossomed and on September 10, 1966, Janet was united in marriage to Oliver Wright Jr. at the Unionville Baptist Church in Unionville, IA where they met. To this union three children were born, Gregory, Shelly and Jeremy. Together, Janet and Ollie enjoyed 50 years of marriage. Tragically, on September 7, 1985, their son Gregory passed in a drowning accident. Janet’s faith in God’s providence was strong and she stated that if even one person came to know Jesus and was saved through Greg’s death, it would bring meaning. To this day, Albia students in Dave Wenger’s classes hear the story of this devastated mother’s plea. The number of hearts touch by this are countless. Janet and Ollie’s life together began in Bloomfield, IA where she worked as a waitress before becoming a mother and homemaker. In 1975, they moved to Albia for Ollie’s job at the Albia Newspapers. They bought a small acreage where Janet had a huge garden of vegetables she canned. She also designed and planted beautiful flower gardens. In 1979, she began working as a clerk for Gibson’s, later named Pamida, on the square in Albia. When Pamida relocated to Hwy 5 next to Hy-Vee, Janet was promoted to the position of Receiving Clerk which she held until retiring at the age of 62. She enjoyed working with the many employees that came and went during her years there, especially the young people. After retirement, she continued to work with Ollie at the Albia Newspapers and helped love and care for her grandchildren, Andrew and Alleigh Wright. On May 7, 2017, Janet’s one and only love, Ollie, died suddenly of a heart attack. Janet’s heart remained broken until they were reunited upon her death on February 12, 2026, just before Valentine’s Day. Janet is survived by her daughter, Shelly Wright; son, Jeremy Wright; grandchildren, Andrew and Alleigh Wright; sister, Carletta Watts and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by husband, Oliver Wright Jr.; son, Gregory Wright; siblings, Rex Jr., David, Barbara, and Bonnie and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.- 3:45 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Janet’s family present to greet family and friends. Janet’s request was a graveside service where her body will forever rest in ipeace next to her beloved Ollie and Greg. Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Union Chapel Cemetery in Albia, with Dustin Sample officiating. An open memorial has been established to the family.

Janet Kay (Lippert) Wright

December 28, 1947 - February 12, 2026