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.