Gordon Olsen

Gordon S. Olsen passed away on February 15, 2017, at Sunnyside, Washington. He was born the oldest of five children in a log cabin in Ephraim, Utah, on May 4, 1915, to Soren C. and Geneva C. Anderson OIsen. After graduating from Ephraim High School at age 16, he received his BS in Engineering with a major in Auto Mechanics and a minor in Mathematics, from Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) in 1937. He married Lannett M. Powell later that year. He worked as a mechanic for W. W. Clyde in Springville, Utah, prior to moving to Sunnyside, Washington, where he worked for Morning Milk Company and was instrumental in getting that plant into production in the early 1940’s. He continued working there when Carnation Company bought Morning Milk in 1946. Gordon also worked many years as an auto mechanic, shop foreman, and salesman at Al Pulley Motors, Hilligoss Motors, Sunnyside Dodge, and C. Speck Motors in Sunnyside, ending his employment career as an accountant for Yakima Chief Ranches. After retiring, he enjoyed being a handyman for the next 40 years and was able to repair just about anything people wanted him to get back into working order. He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and in the community throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lannett, in 2000, and brothers Erman, Vern, and Willis Olsen. He is survived by one sister, Lucile (Clair) Tucker, of Alpine, Utah, daughters Elaine (John) Guderian of Arizona and Laree (Bernie) Jansen of Idaho, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Final arrangements are under the direction of Valley Hills Funeral Home in Sunnyside, Washington. Visitation with the family will be from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 24, 2017, at the funeral home, and friends are invited to visit them during that hour. Graveside services, under the direction of Bishop Gary Martin, will be on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., near the small chapel at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember him may contribute to their favorite charity in his name. Messages may also be left for the family online at www.valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gordon Olsen, please visit our flower store.