Lee M. Olsen
January 16, 1959 - October 20, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lee M. Olsen, who left us in the early morning hours of October 20, 2024, due to complications related to pneumonia.
Born and raised in Tremonton, Utah, on January 16, 1959. He attended Weber State University after high school, earning his bachelor’s degree in Family Studies in 1995. Lee’s early career saw him in diverse roles, from a manager at Zales Jewelers to serving as a procurement manager with the U.S. Forest Service, demonstrating his work ethic and versatility.
With a desire to serve and support others on a more personal level, Lee returned to school, pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah, graduating in May of 1999. He worked for the University of Utah Hospital’s Emergency Department and CNS Home Health and Hospice as a crisis counselor while earning his LCSW and building what would become a deeply meaningful private practice.
In his private practice, Lee specialized in trauma work, dedicating himself wholly to his clients and hoping, with each session, to make the world a gentler place for others. His passion for his work and his clients’ well-being was unwavering; he offered both expertise and a profound sense of empathy to those he served, always striving to bring healing to those who needed it most. There were many hours spent discussing the mind-body connection and his barely contained zeal for the science behind it and good that came from growth.
Lee is survived by his brothers, nieces and nephews and his chosen family.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 6-8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building.
Lee’s legacy will endure in the lives he touched and the healing he fostered. He will be remembered for his compassion, his laughter, and his unrelenting hope for a better world.
In Loving Memory
I had the pleasure of knowing Lee the past couple years. I enjoyed every encounter I had with him and Shelby. He will be missed by all he came in contact with.
Lee was a wonderful neighbor as I lived by him for several years. I'm so sad!
Lee was my therapist for 10 years, and had such a profound impact on my life. I miss him desperately, and will carry his wisdom through my life! I love you Lee!
One of the kindest, best people I've known and my best friend in high school. He will always be remembered fondly and with love.
Lee had such a profound impact on me and my daughters. He was our therapist during the time before and after my divorce from their father. I will never forget his willingness to share of himself and the compassion he showed us. We love you Lee!
Lee was my therapist for over six years and one of my greatest heroes as he empowered me to stand tall in the face of very tender and tough chapters of my life. I feel a part of me died when I found his obituary but realized that a part of Lee lives on through each one of us. I will forevermore ask myself, “what would Lee tell me to do?” Thank you my dearest friend…I will miss our talks but know you have trained me with powerful tools that I will continue to put to good use. Rest in peace. Love you, Lee!
Here I am using the tools Lee empowered me with to mourn the loss of him and our incredible conversations. He helped me navigate the most difficult chapter of my life and emerged as a very dear friend. His effect on my life and the tools he empowered me with will reverberate throughout my life. I enjoy imagining the widespread “ripple effect” that Lee had and will continue to have in my own life and even more so, his community at large. The world is most certainly a better place. Lee, I’ll be here wishing we could cry and laugh together once again. I hope you find rest and relief. All my love.
As I sit down to write this, it's hard to find the right words that can truly capture the depth of my gratitude and the weight of this goodbye. You have been more than a mentor to me—you've been a guiding light in times of darkness, a lifeline when everything seemed lost, and a source of unwavering wisdom and strength. But it wasn’t just my life you impacted. You have given so many the tools they needed to thrive, to think critically, and to believe in themselves. Through your teachings, we have all learned how to face life's obstacles with resilience and compassion—lessons that will stay with us all for the rest of their lives. What you did for me and my family is nothing short of extraordinary. You didn’t just change our lives in a moment; you changed the course of our futures. I will carry your lessons with me always, sharing them. Your impact lives on through everyone you helped. As you move on to the next chapter, know that you leave behind a legacy that cannot be measured in mere words. You’ve touched more lives than you may ever know, and the ripple effect of your work will continue to resonate for generations. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything you've done. You have my deepest respect and admiration, and I will forever be grateful for your presence in my life
Lee officiated my beautiful mountain wedding in 2006. He went on to support me through several rough spots in my life in therapy. His love and light inspired me to be absolutely the best human I could be. He made an immeasurable positive impact on my life and will be dearly missed ❤️
I heard today that Lee was gone. It's a sad day for me. Lee helped me in many parts of my life for many years. He never said I don't know to a question. He usually had many answers or he'd find them. He is an inspiration to anyone who is suffering and looking for happiness. My favorite thing he would respond (while he was suffering) when I asked how he was doing, "Damn well, all things considered!"
Lee worked with Ben in the ED at the U. We both loved his positive attitude, his smile, and his enthusiastic dedication to his work. So sorry to hear of his passing and wishing family and close friends our condolences. The world has lost a great soul!
I was the ast nurse manager at the U of U ED when we hired Lee… I worked to make a well deserved role as the trauma social worker. Lee had a designated place with our trauma patients, standing at their left shoulder, often the only voice they would remember, saying “I’m here for you and won’t leave you. I’m with you. You’re not alone.” Lee taught my staff about professional compassion and was truly one of my greatest inspirations in my life. I’ll always remember his gentle voice, his tender and delightful eyes, and his gentle voice and smile. Lee, I have thought about you often in the last years… I knew you were destined to change lives, and you did. May the angels embrace you and take you to that place of the greatest joy. With love and honor, Caryn Summers
This loss has been extremely hard for me. Lee was an incredible person full of love and light. He truly cared for the people he worked with and you could feel it. I am so lucky and blessed to have had the time I did with him. Lee showed me the path of healing I never thought was possible. He was unlike any other, he had a special gift that I will forever be grateful for and carry with me, always. He was so much more than a therapist, he was my friend and I will miss him dearly. I love you Lee. Thank you for sharing your love and light with so many
In Loving Memory
