Kirsten Olsen

Gunnison, Utah – Kirsten Jensen Olsen, age 93 of Gunnison, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Gunnison on June 15, 2023. She was born November 12, 1929, in Frederiksberg, Denmark, a daughter of Axel Ejnar and Ane Margrethe Martha Willadsen Jensen.

She married the love of her life Jorgen Olsen July 5, 1952, in Frederiksberg, Denmark. In 1955 they welcomed their first daughter, Lisbeth, followed by a second daughter, Helle in 1958. In 1969 the family was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were baptized in 1970. Kirsten, Jorgen and their daughters traveled to Utah in 1972 where Jorgen’s and Kirsten’s marriage was solemnized, and their daughters were sealed to them for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

In 1971 Lisbeth moved to Utah, Helle followed in 1974 and Kirsten and Jorgen settled in Salt Lake City in 1977.

For 15 years Kirsten worked in the Genealogical Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a name extractor.

When Kirsten and Jorgen retired, they were tired of the city life and moved to the quiet town of Gunnison, Utah, where they bought their first house ever. They were welcomed with open arms by their neighbors and the community.

Kirsten served in many capacities in the LDS Church in Denmark, in the Danish Branch of the LDS Church, in Salt Lake City and in Gunnison.

Before moving to the United States, Kirsten and her family were involved in Danish Folk dancing.

Kirsten had many interests which included baking cookies and knitting. She was very proud of the fact that she knitted more than 2800 hats for the newborn babies at Gunnison Valley Hospital.

Kirsten leaves behind her two daughters, Lisbeth (Michael) Patterson of Orem and Helle Hill of Thornton, Colorado; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jorgen Olsen in 2010; her parents, Axel and Grethe Jensen and a sister.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. in the Gunnison City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Gunnison Valley Hospital Home Care and Hospice.