Earl Olson

Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Earl Eidswold Olson, passed away on Dec 7, 2010, in Bountiful, Utah at 94, following a very brief battle with pneumonia. He was born on May 17, 1916, in Salt Lake City to Alvin & Eva Olson. He graduated from West High School in SLC, served a mission to Denmark for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and upon his return served in the army for four years during WWII, stationed in Stockton, California. He married his eternal sweetheart, Verene Ellen Stott, on Mar. 24, 1944, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and they were married for 59 years before she passed away on Mar. 1, 2003. Earl’s career started at the age of 17 and spanned 52 years working for the Historian’s Office and Historical Dept for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He so enjoyed his work at the church offices that if it had not been for mandatory retirement at 70, he would have worked and served for many more years. Earls positions and responsibilities during those many years included: Historical Compiler, Supervisor Genealogical Society Archives, Assistant Librarian, Assistant Church Historian to Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith, Church Archivist, Church Historian and Assistant Managing Director. He was a devout and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which he served in many positions, including: MIA, organist, chorister, Seventies quorum, Stake Mission President, High Councilor, numerous other callings and teaching responsibilities. He traveled extensively for both work and pleasure, visiting every state throughout the United States, and many countries and continents throughout the world including: Russia, the South Pacific, Africa, North, South and Central America and most of Europe. Earl enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing the organ and piano, gardening, photography, and boating with his family, especially to Lake Powell almost every summer since 1964, concluding with his most recent week-long visit in August of 2010. Earl is preceded in death by his wife, three siblings and a grandson, Lewis Brett Stern. He is survived by a sister Verda Horsfall; his three children, Earlene (Lew) Stern, Janalyn Olson, Craig (Kris) Olson, 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Earl especially loved being with his family and attending as many of their activities as he possibly could. We will miss his smile. He leaves behind a wonderful example of charity, service and a legacy of love to his posterity. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 11, 2010, at 11 a.m. Bountiful LDS 50th Ward Chapel, 33 S. Moss Hill Dr. (1500 E). A viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and at the chapel Saturday 9:45-10:45 a.m. Interment, Lakeview Cemetery.