Keith Marion Olsen

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather passed from this earthly life to his heavenly home on May 6, 2014 after a mighty battle with Alzheimer's. He was born in SLC, UT on Sept. 2, 1928 to William Marion Julian and Nellie Keen.

He married and later divorced, Marlene Olsen, they had two children; Robin Bozen and Cindy Smith. He later married Nancy Dillingham, the love of his life for the past 55 years. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They had four children Terri Davis (Scott), Lance Olsen (Kelly), Christy Olsen (Mark) and Gay Lynn Blanchard (Dustin). Keith enlisted in the US Navy in 1946. His favorite place to be with family and friends was at his mountain cabin, Big Bear Ranch, enjoying the beauty and abundant wildlife. He will be missed and will remain in our hearts forever.

A viewing will be held on Monday, May 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East SLC. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 13th at 11:00 AM at Valley View 8th Ward, 4395 S. Albright Drive, Holladay, with a viewing an hour prior to services. Interment at Mountain View Memorial Park, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights.

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Life sketch for Keith Marion Olsen….

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather passed from this earthly life to his heavenly home on May 6, 2014 after a mighty battle with Alzheimer’s. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Barbara, Bill and Fairie Marie (Butch).

He was born in SLC, UT on Sept. 2, 1928 to William Marion Julian and Nellie Keen.  He was lovingly raised by his mother and step-father, William Levi Olsen (Bob) and honored Bob by changing his last name legally to Olsen when he entered the Navy. He married Marlene Olsen, they had two children; Robin Bozen and Cindy Smith. They later divorced.

 He married Nancy Dillingham, the love of his life for the past 55 years.  They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.  They had four children Terri Davis (Scott), Keith Lance Olsen (Kelly), Christy Olsen (Mark) and Gay Lynn Blanchard (Dustin). 

Keith was raised on a farm in Murray, Utah.  Though he grew up during the great depression, he enjoyed and experienced a childhood rich with farm life, swimming holes and many childhood games in our near the Jordan River.

Keith always enjoyed the outdoors ice-skating, swimming, hunting, fishing, boating and especially water skiing.  He also enjoyed flying and earned his pilot’s license at age 16.  He also enjoyed building his own boat, water skis and later his mountain retreat.

Keith enlisted in the US Navy in 1946.  He was always proud of his time served in the Navy and began his love affair with the water.

He was known for his strong work ethic and worked hard to provide for his family all of his life.  He started his entrepreneurial pursuits at a very young age candling eggs.  He worked through his teenage and young adult years, laying a great foundation for a lifetime of self-employment building Century Marine, the largest inland marine store west of the Mississippi River.  He continued to adapt to the changing economy later incorporating Transocean Limited and Energy House stoves and hearth products.   

His favorite place to be with family and friends was at his mountain cabin, Big Bear Ranch, enjoying the beauty and abundant wildlife. He will be missed and will remain in our hearts forever.  

Our family wishes to express our deep love and appreciation for all those who cared for our beloved husband and father the past many years.  

To Paige Viehweg and Larene Hobbs – we cannot extend enough thanks and appreciation for the many years of tender loving care and dedicated service to our family.

To Harmony Home Health and Hospice thank you for providing daily loving care; especially Eric Starzeki, Larry Lucas, and Carlos Neitos -we could not have done it without you.  

To Veterans Administration we extend our heartfelt gratitude for providing support for many years. 

To the Valley View 8^th Ward High Priests quorum members and their families –we leaned on you literally and figuratively seven days a week, twice a day on the weekends.  Our deepest thanks.

To Starks Funeral Parlor – You have been able to create an amazing personalized experience for us as a family – thank you for helping us navigate unknown territory with loving care and grace.  

To all of the above, and our family members, neighbors and friends – thank you for helping to preserve our Papa’s dignity and making it possible for us to love and care for him in our home. We cannot thank you enough.

The Olsen Family