Blaine F. Olsen

Blaine France Olsen, age 92, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-­grandfather passed away peacefully at his home on November 20, 2010. He was born July 14, 1918 in Brigham City, Utah, the son of Joseph R. and Josephine Christine Josephson Olsen. He was raised in Brigham City and graduated from Box Elder High School. He was very active in music and sports.
He married Jesse Facer. They were later divorced.
Blaine graduated from the California College of Embalming in 1939. He worked for Shaw and Iverson Mortuary in Tremonton. In August 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving in the medical department during WWII. After serving two years stateside, he volunteered for Submarine Service, qualifying as the Chief Pharmacist Mate on the U.S.S. Whale, stationed in the South Pacific.
In 1957, he married Mary Nye Miles in Paris, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple in 1960.
In June of that year, he and his wife Mary remodeled a home in Brigham City and opened the Blaine Olsen Mortuary. For over 20 years, Blaine served many families truly living up to his motto of "Serving as we Would be Served."
Blaine served the Brigham City community as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Rotary Club, City Councilman, Commander of American Legion Post #10, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1695, and President of the Lions Club. He also directed the 4th of July Community Choir for many years. He was the President of the Utah Funeral Directors Association and National Vice-President of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. He was an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and the Big Brother's organization.
His callings in the LDS church included, ward clerk, Stake Sunday School Presidency, Seventies Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, Ogden temple worker, name extraction, and a variety of music callings.
His wife Mary died April 3, 1989.
Blaine married Raquenel C. Barker in Kanesville, Utah, later moving to North Ogden.
Together they served an LDS mission in London, England and an intercity mission in Ogden.
He enjoyed playing golf - especially with his buddies, the piano, harmonica, and learning to play the cello. He loved to attend events his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were involved in. He will be missed.
Blaine is survived by his wife, Raquenel, and his six children: Sheran Powers of Pleasant View, Bruce F. Jepperson of Homedale, ID, Karen (Ben) Evans of Springville, Mary Jo (Tom) Johnston of South Ogden, Christine (Clay) Thornock of Brigham City, Carolyn Olsen of Idaho Falls,ID. He has 20 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four step-children: Raquenel (Boyd) Yost of Layton, Ray Barker of Farr West, Jane (Kent) Eskelsen of Riverdale and Hiram Barker of Ogden and 11 step-grandchildren.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, wife, Mary; grandson, Van Jepperson; six brothers, Ferris, William, Albert, Harold, J.R., and Karl; four sisters, Josephine, Mary, Hazel, and Bodell.
The family would like to express special gratitude to IHC Hospice and Right at Home care and assistance.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 27, at 11:00 a.m. at the North Ogden 16th Ward LDS Chapel, 205 East Elberta, North Ogden, Utah. Friends and family may gather Friday, November 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 496 24th Street, Ogden, and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 at the church.
Internment, Brigham City Cemetery, following the service, under the direction of Allen­Hall Mortuary of Logan, Utah. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net .