Ron Olsen

Ron E. Olsen
1939-2005
Ron E. Olsen (Ronald Ellis Olsen) of Kingman, Arizona, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2005, from complications from injuries sustained Memorial Day weekend in a truck towing accident near Sun City.
Ron was born February 4, 1939, in Richfield, Utah, to Donald Ellis Olsen  and Anne Lucile Greenwood Olsen.  They lived in Richfield during Ron's childhood and school years through tenth grade.  The family then moved to Blanding, Utah, where Ron graduated from Blanding High School.  Thereafter he attended Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, and Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Ron E. Olsen married Ann Louise Francom, daughter of Gordon J. and Reva Christensen Francom, May 12, 1962.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Mr. Olsen is a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he had served in the capacities of Sunday School teacher, teacher development leader, home teacher, and as a member of the High Council of the Lihui Stake in Kawai, Hawaii for several years.  Ron had served as a scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts of America.
Ron is survived by Ann Olsen of Queen Creek, Arizona; eight children:  Ron A. Olsen (Karrissa) of Kingman, Arizona; Russell G. Olsen (Diana) of Cedar City, Utah; Rand S. Olsen (Shelly) of Queen Creek, Arizona; Robin Ann (Joseph Robert) Wirthlin of Lexington, Massachusetts; Rachelle Rae (Kevin) Veal of Springfield, Oregon; Roxane Ruth (Stephen) Whyte of Provo, Utah; Ryan C. Olsen (Amber) of Queen Creek, Arizona; Rebecca Louise (Alan) McHood of Gilbert, Arizona; one sister, Margene (Ron) Armstrong lives in Modjeska Canyon, California; 24 grandchildren.  One son, Rick Don Olsen; a grandson, Thaddeus Gordon Veal; and one brother, Tony Olsen of Bountiful, Utah, preceded Ron in death.
Ron Olsen is well known for his Rocking "O" horse trailers and livestock equipment which he designed and manufactured in American Fork and Nephi, Utah, then sold and distributed throughout the Western United States and Canada.  Ron also established Western Ambulance Builders in Nephi, Utah, where he designed, manufactured, and distributed modular ambulances throughout United States. The Olsen family lived in Nephi for eight years.
Mr. Olsen was very proud of his family.  He expressed many times the joy he felt knowing that his sons, sons-in-law, several of his daughters and a daughter-in-law had served missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints throughout the world.  Ron felt very happy that Nicholas Klein, his oldest grandchild, is in the Mission Training Center preparing for his mission for the Church in the Mexico Merida Mission.  Ron encouraged his children and grandchildren to choose the right and do their best, to work consistently, and he emphasized to them the importance of completing a college education.
Viewing and funeral services were held Friday, August 19, 2005 in Kingman, Arizona, at the Sutton Memorial Funeral Home, 1701 Sycamore Avenue, Kingman, Arizona 86401 (928-757-4022).  Graveside services were held Saturday, August 20, at 4 p.m. in the Levan Town Cemetery at Levan, Utah, under direction of Anderson Funeral Home, 94 West 300 North, Nephi, Utah 84648 (435-623-0153).