Vefa Lunt Olsen

Vefa Lunt Olsen peacefully passed away on Pioneer Day, July 24, 2015 after a 10 year struggle with dementia.  Vefa was born February 20, 1928 on the family farm in Virden, New Mexico.  She was the third daughter, and three more sons would be added to the family. Her name came from the last two letters of love, and the first two letters of faith. 

Her father died unexpectedly when she was five, so Vefa learned to work hard milking cows and tending the garden.

After high school, Vefa attended New Mexico Teacher’s College for one year.  Then her brother Owen was badly burned, so Vefa took a year off from college to help at home.  As a thank you, their mother sent Vefa to BYU to complete her education.

There she made friends that lasted a lifetime.  Vefa graduated with honors in elementary education with minors in math and English.

She moved to Los Angeles where she met Lowell Peter Olsen.  They were married in 1955 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  They had six children, all of whom graduated from college, and four of whom served missions.

Vefa gardened, preserved food, baked bread, and taught her children industry and frugality. 

Vefa served in leadership callings in the LDS Church such as Young Women’s President and the Primary Presidency.  But her favorite callings were Spiritual living teacher, librarian, and temple worker.

After her husband’s death in April 1977, Vefa chose to move to Utah where three of her children were already enrolled at BYU and where she had family, including her mother.

Vefa never acted like a widow—she often brought food to others and was a model of self-sufficiency. 

She retired from the Utah State Training School in American Fork and served a family history mission in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

She enjoyed trips to Mexico and Guatemala as well as a cruise in Alaska.

Vefa is survived by her three brothers, Owen, Tim, and Terry Lunt; her six children, Kathleen Scott (Mark), Marilyn Masters (Guy), Brent Olsen (Lisa), Robert Olsen (Lucy), Marie Lund (Robert), and Amy Gray (Carl); twenty-four grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 1, 11 a.m.  Viewing beforehand from 10-10:30 am.  

Orchard LDS Chapel

1282 West 1875 North

Farmington, UT  84025