Dee Leon Olsen

Salina, Utah – Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Dee Leon Olsen, passed away peacefully at his home in Salina on his 90th birthday, September 29, 2021. He was born September 29, 1931 in Bingham Canyon, Utah, a son of Bertram and Doris Bodell Olsen. He grew up in Axtell and graduated from Gunnison Valley High School, Class of 1949. He attended Weber State and Utah State University in Welding Engineering. Dee married the love of his life, Willadean Peterson January 26, 1951 in the Manti LDS Temple. He served his country in the United States Air Force for four years from 1952 to 1956. They made their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for 30 years. Dee worked at Allen-Bradley in Milwaukee for 10 years and was head of the Department of Enclosures. He then purchased Eder Industries in 1970 with a business partner. They produced electronic controls. The business was sold in 1988. Dee then retired and they moved to Provo Canyon for 19 years and in Salina for the past 14 years. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving as a stake missionary, in the Elder Quorum Presidency, as Counselor in a Bishopric, and served as Bishop of the West Allis II Ward for eight years in Milwaukee. While in Wisconsin, he was on the committee to run the LDS Stake Farm. They harvested potatoes that were then sent to the church welfare services in Indiana. He and his wife served a mission to the South Dakota Rapid City Mission at the Mormon Handcart Historic Site in Martin’s Cove, Wyoming and as ordinance workers in the Provo Temple. Dee headed the restoration project for the CCC and POW Camp in Salina which was a highlight of his life. He appreciated the opportunity to serve the community. As with any project he did, he always gave it his full attention and energy. Dee could fix anything. He enjoyed working in his shop and fixing anything he could get his hands on, even if the project came from the neighbors. He had a dry sense of humor. He enjoyed camping at Accord Lakes and going south to Yuma and Quartzsite for the winters. His beloved Willadean passed away November 11, 2011. Dee is survived by his children: Steven Dee and Colleen Olsen of Saratoga Springs; Patti Jo and Rich Arcaris of Harrison, Idaho; Ronald Leon and Terri Olsen of Highland; Gary Dean and Robin Olsen of Bluffdale; Tami Lynn and Kerry Beach of Las Vegas, Nevada; 20 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; siblings: Elaine Deaton of Salina, Gail E. and Vivian Olsen of St. George. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Don Bertram Olsen; and a brother-in-law, Joe Deaton. Graveside services with military honors accorded by the Salina American Legion Post #36 and the Hill Field Air Force Base Honor Guard will be in the Redmond Cemetery on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 3:00 P.M. under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.