Wendell Dewey Olsen

On Tuesday, May 16, 2017 Wendell Dewey Olsen passed away due to several complications associated with his 88 years of life. He passed away peaceful surrounded by his loving family. Wendell was born on March 13, 1929 in Logan, the fifth of six children of Alma Dewey Olsen and Leah Nelson Olsen. Wendell spent his youth working on the family farm with his brothers and sisters. In his spare time, he enjoyed exploring with his cousins; the valley bottom’s winding streams and cattails on feet and horseback.
He attended South Cache High through the 11th grade but his education was cut short during World War II when his older brother Blaine was called to duty and he was needed back home on the farm. He had fond memories of school athletics; he enjoyed track and field and excelled in the sprints.
Wendell met his future wife Margaret Loosli at South Cache. They were married on July 14, 1949 in the Logan LDS temple. Margaret and Wendell settled in Providence where they were surrounded by extended family. They raised their four sons; W. Craig (Pat), Terry (Michael), Gary L (Jane) and Cordell (Stephanie). Margaret passed away 1993 . He married Lorraine Liechty on Valentine’s Day in 1994 and added five more son’s to his family: Russ (Jannel), Michael (Karren), Ron (Holly), Bret (Debbie) and Jim (Teresa).
Someone once said regarding work and careers; “Real success is finding your work life, in the work that you love”. Wendell loved his career as an Operating Engineer. He started operating heavy equipment in the early 50’s. His employer’s locally included L. Johnson Construction and Jack Parson’s Construction. He later joined the Operating Engineering Union. For the last decade of his career worked for W.W. Clyde Construction building sections of the interstate highway systems in Utah and Nevada. The skill he loved most was operating the big bulldozers. When Parson’s Construction bought their first D10, where ever that big bulldozer went Wendell went too.
In retirement Wendell enjoyed playing golf, especially with his brother Blaine. He also spent 22 years as a volunteer at the Cache Valley Community Health Clinic.
Wendell is survived by his wife Lorraine, nine sons and their spouses as well as 34 grand children and 65 great grand children. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Norma and Marvel and his brother Blaine.
A public viewing will be held Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St. from 6 to 8 p.m. There will also be a viewing Monday, May 22, in the Providence 5th Ward chapel at 355 Canyon Road from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 prior to the funeral service at noon. Interment and dedication of the grave will take place at the Providence Cemetery at 2 p.m. that afternoon.
In lieu of the flowers, the family would encourage donations to the LDS church Humanitarian fund, or any local charitable organizations. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.allenmortuaries.net