Olivia Dixie Grieser

Olivia Dixie Grieser, 16 years old, went to be with Jesus on January 30, 2025, at Children’s Nebraska in Omaha, Nebraska. Olivia was born to Jason and Michelle (Hawley) Grieser on June 9, 2008, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Olivia was a junior at Lincoln Southwest High School. She was an active participant in everything Unified. Her school provided many opportunities including her favorites of bowling, cheer and track. This doesn’t even include everything she was involved in during her school day. She was active in her community too. She was an artist with the Penguin Project acting in four shows. She loved Homer’s Heroes and SumFun camp in the summer as well as showing sheep in Lancaster County for the past five years as part of the Unified Showing 4-H program. She was a Girl Scout in Troop 20606 since second grade. She loved going to church and taking communion. She never said no to eating out. Her favorite things were her family, friends, hot dogs, Mazatlan, our dog Millie, riding the train at the zoo and taking walks. These activities were possible due to years of therapy to re-learn skills after a catastrophic event at 16 months of age. Her heart stopped during an illness, but that would not overshadow God’s grace and lots of therapist angels during her recovery to give her the strength and determination to persevere.

Olivia not only was strong in her spirit to succeed, but her most important race was to win hearts. She may have had a weakened physical heart, but the love in this child was not of this world but of Jesus. She radiated joy, created laughter, not only her own but also making others laugh as well as perfecting one of the tightest hugs one would ever know. In her eyes, to know you was to love you and she only knew that one way, with her whole being. Her light shined bright, and she left her mark! Early on Olivia was nurtured by her big sister, Allyson, and her big brother, Erich. They were her biggest fans and eagerly included her in everything, even if it meant being pulled when she could not walk yet.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving family, parents Jason and Michelle Grieser, sister Allyson and brother Erich; grandparents Paul and Diane Grieser; aunts and uncles, Jennifer and Jim Brady, Justin and Kirsten Grieser; cousins, James, Elizabeth and Adam Brady, Easton and Emmitt Grieser; great aunts and great uncles; as well as many, many friends. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Myra Hawley, and Wayne Hawley; aunt, Dixie Grieser.

Visitation for Olivia will be held Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68512. The Celebration of Life will be at 11:00am on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Southwood Lutheran Church, 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68516 with a visitation one hour prior at 10:00am. Please join the family for a fellowship luncheon after the service. Please wear brightly colored clothing like that in a rainbow (and please no brown). Private Graveside service to follow luncheon. Memorials in Olivia’s honor are in the care of her family for future designation to the Penguin Project and the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Arrangements entrusted to Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Olivia not only gave love, but received so much love from so many. She will be missed yet never forgotten. Her love and laughter and light are her legacy. May your light shine ever so brightly as our guardian angel!