LaVar J Olsen

LaVar J. Olsen

December 17, 1925 ~ November 8, 2015

LaVar J. Olsen passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 8, 2015, surrounded by his family.  He was dearly loved by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He was born in Liberty, Utah on December 17, 1925 to John Arthur Olsen and Harriett Emily Hill. 

He was married to Bernice Fuit on June 18, 1948 and was later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in March 1962.  He has two children, Carol Olsen Eccles (David), who resides in South Jordan, Utah, and Scott L. Olsen (Denise), who resides in Sandy, Utah.  He has nine precious grandchildren, and twenty-three beautiful great-grandchildren.

LaVar served in the armed forces at the end of WWII from 1943 to 1946, and then was employed by the Air Force as a Civil Service Logistics Officer until his retirement.  He served in two overseas assignments – one to Laon, France in 1962, and another to Ramstein, Germany in 1966.  He was also sent as a consultant to Viet Nam in 1969 for six months.  While in Europe, he was able to travel extensively with his family making some choice memories for all. 

LaVar was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held many callings in the Church.  He and his wife, Bernice, served a mission in Auckland, New Zealand where they learned to love the Maori people whom they served.  They also were called to serve in the Brisbane, Australia Mission, but were required to return home early due to an illness in the family.  He was a loving father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren.

LaVar was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother, LaMar A. Olsen, his sister, Bernice Olsen Wilde, and his wife, Bernice Fuit Olsen.  After Bernice’s death, he married Lela Moss Bangerter, and they had five wonderful years together before his death.  He is survived by his wife, his two children, nine grandchildren, and twenty-three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 11 a.m.at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd.  

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the nurses and aids who cared for him so lovingly at Legacy Taylorsville and Inspiration Hospice during these last four months.