Vernon Olsen

Vernon Olsen, 79, of Ammon, Idaho, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at the Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma, Arizona. He was born October 22, 1932, in Rigby, Idaho to Oluf LaVerl and Mary Ellen Westergard Olsen. He grew up in Rigby and attended schools through high school there. He married his high school sweetheart, Irene Cook, on March 18, 1954 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He worked for Basic American Potato Company for 36 years. He was a member of the LDS Church and served as a Scout Leader, counselor in the YMMIA, and president of the YMMIA, counselor in the Sunday School presidency, Sunday School president, counselor in the Rigby Stake Sunday School, and secretary in the High Priest Group Quorum, canning chairman, and was a dedicated home teacher. Vernon and Irene served as service missionaries at the West Piney Girls Camp above Swan Valley, Idaho in the summer of 2004. Vernon enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spending time with his family in the outdoors. He loved to go four-wheeling and camping with friends and family. He is survived by his wife Irene of Ammon; two daughters, Janine (Mike) Clifford of Rigby, ID; and Peggy (Marc) Marquiss of Suisun City, CA; two sons, Tracy (Pamela) Olsen of Sierra Vista, AZ; Daryl (Cheryl) Olsen of Rexburg, ID; 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Vernal Olsen. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Helen Faye. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the Ammon 26th Ward LDS Chapel, 1100 S. Tie Breaker Drive, Ammon, with Bishop Rodney Roberts, Conducting. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby, and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Saturday, prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Ucon Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.