Earl Olsen

POCATELLO-Earl Llewellyn Olsen, 96, of Pocatello, passed away on Friday evening, May 13, 2011 at the Pocatello Care and Rehab Center, surrounded by his loving family. Earl was born August 28, 1914 in Brigham City, Utah, the oldest of five children, to Orson Llewellyn and Lenora (Hansen) Olsen. His parents briefly homesteaded in Arbon Valley before moving to Weston, Idaho, where Earl grew up and attended school, graduating from Weston High School. After graduation, Earl moved to Pocatello and went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. Shortly after moving from Weston, he was visiting his sister, Edna, who was attending college in Pocatello, and was introduced to the prettiest girl in the valley. Her name was Gertrude (Trude) Misner and they were soon married in the Salt Lake Temple, on Earl's birthday, 1939. To this union were added 6 children; Jerie, Donna, Edwin, Victor, Rex, and Kathy. Earl was always an active member in the LDS Church and served in many positions and callings. He loved to hunt, fish, camp and go for long drives on Sunday afternoons. He spent many, many hours in his large garden and loved sharing his fresh food with his family and friends. Earl retired from the railroad after a career of over 40 years. Earl is survived by three daughters, Jerie (Maurice) Grady, Donna (Rich) King, Kathy (Hal) Jones; two sons, Edwin (Cheryl) Olsen and Rex (Diane) Olsen; two brothers, Ren (Charlotte) Olsen of West Allis, WI, and Roy (Faye) Olsen, of Preston, ID; 21 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; Trude, his loving wife of more than 68 years; a son, Victor; a grandson, Timothy Grady; two sisters, Edna (Earl) Moyes, and Ione (Charles) Cox. Services for Earl are set for Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the 26th Ward Chapel on the corner of Hawthorne and Eldredge. Family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6-8:00 P.M. at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 South 4th Avenue. There will be a visitation as well at the church one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caregivers at Elegant Living and Heather Merica with Access Hospice. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com.