Dale Lavern Olsen

Dale LaVern Olsen, 89, of Rigby, died Thursday, May 31, 2012, in Rigby. He was born Oct. 2, 1922, in Rigby, Idaho, to Henry and Florence Lundquist Olsen. He was the fourth child born in a family of seven children. He received his early education in Rigby and graduated from Rigby High School, where he participated in band, orchestra, basketball and track. Dale received an associates degree from Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) in Rexburg, and a bachelors degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. There he was a member of the BYU Pep Band. He later returned to Ricks College and obtained a teaching certificate. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and was assigned to a medical photographic unit. While training at a camp in South Carolina, he was assigned as the bugler. Other locations of service included the Philippines, Hawaii, and Japan. Dale participated in the historic Okinawa Campaign On Sept. 2, 1948, he married Loa Jean Butler in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They lived in Provo, Utah, until he graduated from Brigham Young University and then they moved to Rigby. A son, Val, and daughter, Sherry, were born to them. Dale farmed in Rigby and also taught agricultural classes under the U.S. Government G.I. Bill program. He later taught at Ririe Elementary School for 11 years. While teaching, Dale continued his farming operation and then returned to farming full time following his teaching years. His wife, Loa Jean, died Sept. 2, 1973, on their 25th wedding anniversary. He later met Carole Rasmussen McKinley, whose husband had also passed away. Dale and Carole were married Aug. 10, 1974, “for time only” in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. With this marriage, Dale’s family increased in number to include Carole’s six children, Scott, Michael, Jeffrey, Todd, Bryan, and Rebecca McKinley. Rebecca is now Rebecca (Jared) Randall. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dale served as Stake Sunday School president and counselor, in the ward Elders Quorum presidency, Young Men’s president, High Priest Group leader, ward Sunday School president and counselor, as a teacher, missionary, Varsity Scout basketball coach, and home teacher. He enjoyed music throughout his life and played saxophone with his brothers in a family orchestra and later in an orchestra with his children, Sherry and Val. Other hobbies included singing in the ward choir, playing basketball, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, and attending Rigby High School basketball games. Dale and Carole were members of the Holiday Dance Club for many years. Dale’s love for his family always came first. Survivors include his wife, Carole Olsen of Rigby; a son, Val Olsen of Sandy, Utah; a daughter, Sherry (Ken) Kruse of Cupertino, Calif.; his six stepchildren and their spouses who all live in Idaho and Utah; two brothers, Roy (Nancy) Olsen of Rigby and Lynn (Adele) Olsen of Idaho Falls; four grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 22 step-grandchildren; and four step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Loa Jean; two brothers, Ray Olsen and Frank Olsen; and two sisters, Erma Gunderson and Aletha Ahlstrom. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, at the Rigby Fourth Ward LDS Chapel, 401 W. First South in Rigby. The family will meet with friends from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in Rigby Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.