SALT LAKE CITY — Rodney H. Olsen, 78, died Oct. 16, after a short illness. Olsen was born Oct. 26, 1929, in St. Paul, Minn., to Arthur and Laura Olsen. He married Arla Swenson Oct. 10, 1952, and was an amazing husband. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked for the Ford Motor Company for 34 years. Olsen offered his time to the soup kitchen serving food or washing dishes. He was an outdoors man who enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, and tennis. He found pleasure in a good daily walk, reading, and traveling. He was a devoted father who was actively involved with his family. He passed on to his children his love for animals, his passion for music, and the arts, and his value of good ethics. He taught them to live well, to respect the earth, care for their fellow men, and appreciate what they have. He is survived by his wife of 56 years; his children, Cindy, Kathy, Jenny (George) Garcia, Edie (Dave) Schoepp, Vince (Heather), Ruth; grandchildren, Juliet, Justin, Jasmine, Trent, Chandler, Ezri; four sisters, three brothers, and stepfather, Nick Goerger. A Memorial Mass was celebrated at Saint Ann Catholic Church. Inurnment was in Elysian Burial Gardens.
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