Rick Olsen - Walker Funeral Home

Richard (Rick) Dean Olsen passed away, surrounded by his family, on January 2, 2021, at the age of 71. He was born on February 15, 1949, in Ogden, Utah, to Dean DeVere Olsen and Eda Hodges Olsen. He was the second of three boys. He lived in northern California for several year,s while his dad worked logging the Redwoods. They settled in Bountiful, Utah, where he attended elementary, junior high, and high school. He graduated from Viewmont High School in 1967.

Rick honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970, where he saw combat in Korea. He was a Scout Dog Handler. His job was to patrol the Demilitarized Zone. While serving, he had many dangerous encounters with the enemy and was present when Pueblo was taken over. He later served at Fort Hood in Texas, at the Signal Corps with “Top Secret Top Secret Crypto” duties.

He married his sweetheart, Sue Warner, on December 4, 1970. They later solemnized their marriage in the Salt Lake Temple in 1978. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary together in 2020. They have four kids: daughter, Lyndi Olsen; son, Cody Olsen; son, Lonnie Olsen; and daughter, Nikki Haskell.

Rick started working for Bountiful Power, which turned into an electrical lineman career that he loved. His job took him and the family to many towns and states. He worked on constructing the new power lines, in some of those jobs. It was challenging and took him away from home for lengthy periods of time. Eventually, he took a job in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, working for Glenwood Springs Electric. While there, the family became very involved with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward there, and it became a big part of their lives. They held many jobs and callings within the Church, along with taking care of the building. Rick started the scouting program there and had a lot of fun with the boys. He was also in the bishopric, where Rick and Sue considered that time of their life as serving a mission for the church. After three years in Colorado, they wanted to settle down in Utah to raise the kids. So, they moved to Spanish Fork, Utah, where he worked for the Spanish Fork City Electrical Department until he retired. They lived in Spanish Fork for 27 years. In 2012, Rick and Sue bought a house in Salem and have lived there since.

His life consisted of several hobbies, including hunting, fishing and all things with his beloved horses. He loved the outdoors and taking the family with him. The grandkids loved going with Grandpa, while he enjoyed teaching them to fish (which mostly consisted of him untangling lines and baiting hooks instead of fishing himself). But he wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else. He loved the mountains and enjoyed watching the deer near his home. He also had a love of scouting. He loved the boys and spending time teaching survival and camping in the mountains with them. While there, the leaders bonded as friends and had many experiences happen on those camping trips. They have several funny stories from those trips to share for the rest of their lives.

While being an active member of the VFW, Post 6395, in Spanish Fork, he served as the Service Officer for many years. He loved helping the veterans obtain their benefits and was a great help to many involved. He made many friends and enjoyed all the things that the Post did. They made a great impact on our family that was greatly needed at the time. We will be forever grateful to them.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was an important part of his life. As an active member, he held many callings and had many spiritual occasions. He was very proud to hold the priesthood and be able to bless the members of his family, in addition to anyone else who needed it.

All things revolved around his family. He was very proud of them. You could find him visiting with someone wherever he went. He would be happy to tell you anything he could about any of his family.

Rick was preceded in death by his dad, Dean Olsen, and mom, Eda Olsen; older brother, Dennis, who died of Cystic Fibrosis at 9 years old; and granddaughter, JaKell Olsen, who died of Trisomy 13. You can only imagine the great reunion going on with them now.

He is survived by his best friend and wife, Susan Warner Olsen; 4 children: Lyndi Olsen, Cody (Sarah) Olsen, Lonnie (Heidi) Olsen, and Nikki Haskell; 18 grandchildren: Shelbie Simpson, Colton (Jessica) Simpson, Mekinley (Isaac) Evans, Josie Simpson, Dallin Olsen, Kaitlyn Olsen, Tucker Olsen, Trevor Olsen, MaCoy Olsen, Trexden Olsen, Kavrick Olsen, TenzLyn Olsen, Macy (Tallan) Langston, Ty Haskell, and Mallie Haskell as well as one great-grandchild, Finn Simpson, with two more on the way. Additionally survived by his brother, Kerry Olsen.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Walker Funeral Home in Spanish Fork at 12:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at the mortuary at 1:00 p.m. He will be buried directly after, with military rites by the VFW, at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

Rick’s family understands your decision, if you choose to stay home at this time of a pandemic. We want our friends and loved ones to be safe and healthy. Click below (active one-half prior to funeral) for a link to a virtual broadcast of the services.

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14 Condolences for Rick Olsen

Condolences(14)

Joyce & Robert Williams says

January 5, 2021 at 1:07 am

To Sue and your family. We are so sorry that this terrible Covid-19 virus took Rick’s life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we hope you know we would like to be there with you, but feel the safest thing for all our family is to honor you suggestion to attend thought the online service.

Marjorie and Albert Thomas says

January 5, 2021 at 2:08 am

Sue and all the families, our hearts are so sad and sorry that this terrible virus had taken the life of our dear Rick. Know that our prayers are with you all and we wish we could be there on Wednesday.

Joe, Corri, & Jojo Fierro says

January 5, 2021 at 3:01 pm

Olsen Family,
We met Rick through the VFW, shortly after completing our active duty service. My husband went to work in Afghanistan while waiting for a position with the FAA. I busied myself with our son, Jojo & volunteered with the VFW. Rick and the guys from the Post were immensely helpful during those 18 months. Rick made sure my husband & I filed our VA claims and understood our rights. Rick was someone we’ll never forget. He was caring, knowledgeable, patient, and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will truly be missed! Sue, we send love & strength for your family during this time.

Christopher Scott says

January 5, 2021 at 4:11 pm

Sue and Family – I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Rick. My heart goes out to you and your family in this time of need and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Rick is a good man who helped lots of Veterans and will be missed. I was honored to help Rick on many occasions and stand by ready to help you when the time comes.

Duane Hill says

January 5, 2021 at 7:39 pm

Olsen Family,
I’m sorry to hear of Ricks passing, While working in scouting together I grew to love and appreciate him. His love for your family and the gospel was shown in everything he did. He truly will be missed.

Tracy and Pat Frandsen says

January 6, 2021 at 2:17 am

Dearest Olsen Family,
We want to thank Cody for letting us know about Rick’s passing, we are very saddened by this news. He was a wonderful person, and friend. We wish you much peace in knowing that you had a wonderful, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Knowing Rick he will be watching over you all until you meet again.

Rich and Janet Robins says

January 6, 2021 at 8:12 pm

Sue and family, we are so very sorry for the loss of Rick. He is and always will be a very special friend and a member of our family, as Rick and Sue are our Niece and Nephew. Please know how much we miss him and will always have you in our prayers. Please, let us know if there is anything we can do to help you in your time of need. Love always Rich and Janet Robins and our family send their condolences at this time.

Rich and Janet Robins says

January 6, 2021 at 8:13 pm

Rich and Janet Robins says

January 6, 2021 at 8:22 pm

Dear Olsen Family

We want you to know how much we miss Rick, he is our Nephew and we will greatly miss him at this sad time in all our lives at the loss of this great man. Know that we will always be here if you need us, we hope to draw closer as a family. We all need more love and kindness in our lives. We will always have him in or hearts and prayers.

Larry Wade says

January 6, 2021 at 9:10 pm

Hi sue. We enjoyed listening to his funeral. He was a giant and I am sure you will miss him. It meant a lot to us when you both came to our sons funeral. Aren’t we lucky to know we will be together again some day. Love

John and JoAnn Larsen says

January 6, 2021 at 10:23 pm

John and (cousin ) JoAnn Wade Larsen
Sue and family we were so sorry to here about Rick. It makes me so sad to here another life has been taken away from us through CONVID.
The funeral was beautiful we would of been there if we could. Families are very important to us . We will miss Rick but we know he’s not far from us, & we will see him again. Families are forever. I pray for the peace and comfort you need at this time. Always remember our Savior loves for all of us. We love you very much.

Connie Warner Drummond says

January 7, 2021 at 2:35 am

Dear Sue family, The service for Rick today was a wonderful tribute to an obviously great man! The talks and prayers really showed they’re love and respect for their Dad and grandfather. I’m certain he will be greatly missed. How sweet it is to know where he is and that you will all be with him again. With love,

Quinn Hodges says

January 7, 2021 at 2:47 am

Sue and Family – There are no words to express the sorrow that we feel for your family , He was great man, father and husband . We will miss him immensely. The Quinn Hodges Family

Marjorie and Albert Thomas says

January 9, 2021 at 7:58 pm

Sue and family, the funeral for Rick was very uplifting and a great tribute to Rick. Cody and Lonnie talks they gave showed the love they had for their dad. We have such wonderful memories of the times we visited you and were together at the Hodges Reunions. We will miss Rick. Our love and prayers are with you and remember Heavenly Father is with you all.

Rick Olsen February 15, 1949 - January 2, 2021

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14 Condolences for Rick Olsen