Blaine Olsen

Blaine Lee Olsen

June 18, 1929 – January 21, 2018

Fruit Heights – Blaine Lee Olsen our kind, generous and beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother passed away peacefully on January 21, 2018.

Blaine was born in Huntsville, UT to Harry G. Olsen and Leona Elsie Christensen. His mother passed away when he was 3 years old.  After spending the early years of his life in Huntsville and Ogden during the Great Depression, at the age of 12 he was taken in by his loving Uncle Joe and Aunt Goldie Christensen where he lived and learned dry farming in Banida, Idaho. He remained close with his brothers Max and Leon, and other Olsen siblings, and developed a very close relationship with his Christensen cousins, whom he considered his brothers and sisters. Blaine remained close to both of his families throughout his life.

Blaine learned valuable lessons of responsibility and hard work while on the Christensen farm.  He was an active member in the LDS Church and served diligently in many callings including faithful Home Teacher. He served a mission in the Central States, predominantly in Oklahoma serving the Cheyenne Nation. Blaine was known for his love and faithful service to the Lord, as well as his generous nature.  He believed in service and missionary work, and he showed it with his support.

Blaine earned his BS in Agronomy from USU in 1954 and attended the University of Utah’s MBA Program. Blaine served as a pilot in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Chandler Air Force Base. He enjoyed a very successful career as a Pharmaceutical Rep with Burroughs Welcome and retired in 1993.  He turned down many offers of advancement in management in order to remain close to his family, which enabled him to attend his family’s sporting, dance and theater events. This was a great joy in his life.

The most remarkable attribute of Blaine was his unwavering devotion to his wife Bev. He met her in Idaho, and they were married and sealed in the Logan Temple December 27, 1951.  Blaine’s love for her was steadfast, and he was always there by her side. He supported Bev’s dream of having her own live theatre, and built two of them, Pages Lane Theatre and Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse. He attended nearly every performance, and the Playhouse was his joy and a reminder of his sweetheart.

Blaine loved to regale everyone with stories about his experiences in sports and the great accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.  He had a contagious sense of humor, and he and family members would gather to tell stories and jokes, laughing until tears flowed. Blaine loved to laugh and he was always cheerful.

Blaine always said his greatest accomplishment was his family, and he remained involved in their lives until his final days.  Daily calls from college, updates on games won and lost, academic accomplishments, etc. continued to be a high point to him throughout his life.

Blaine is survived by three children Jacci (Kim) Florence of Layton, Randy-deceased (Sandy) of Fruit Heights, Joey (Tami) of Syracuse, Patti of Salt Lake City, foster son William Nakai of Window Rock, AZ, 10 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, brother Leon Olsen of Littleton, CO, sisters Bonnie Krebs of North Ogden, Dorothy Whaley of North Ogden, and Carol Pierce of Riverdale.  Blaine was preceded in death by his wife Bev, son Randy, brother’s Max and Larry, and sister Lois.

The family wishes to thank the generous and kind staff at George E. Wahlen Veteran’s Home and Bristol Hospice for their compassionate care of Blaine.  We are grateful beyond measure for the love and support they’ve shown him and each of us during his stay.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the South Mountain Road Chapel, 901 South Mountain Road, Fruit Heights, UT.  Friends may visit family Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the South Mountain Road Chapel.  Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.