- Date Of Birth: December 16, 1932
- Date Of Death: August 22, 2022
- State: Utah
S. Hal Olson passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022 at the age of 89. He was born Dec. 16, 1932 to Ronald L. and Aneta Hess Olson in Ogden, UT. He was the second of six children: Charlene, Hal, Patty, Ron, Dean and Marie.
Dad was raised on a farm and learned the value of hard work. While still in high school, he worked part time for Western Union Telephone and Telegraph Co. delivering telegrams throughout the Ogden area. After high school he worked for American Can Co. and Swifts Meat Packing Co. While at Swifts he met a brick contractor. Dad asked him if he had any opportunities for work and the next spring, he was offered a job. He learned the brick laying trade which became his lifelong occupation. No matter where we drove around Ogden and surrounding areas, Dad always had a story to tell about a building or house he had built or worked on. We often heard stories that he was the best. He worked for Big D Construction for many years, retiring in 1994 then went back to work for 23 more years mowing fairways at Ben Lomond Golf Course until the age of 85.
While walking home late one night from his Western Union job, a friend drove by and offered him a ride. His buddy had his girlfriend with him and there was another young lady in the car. Her name was Donna Southwick and they quickly fell in love. Shortly after graduating from high school, on Sept. 24, 1951, they were married in Dad’s family home in W. Ogden. Hal and Donna had seven children and were later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on Sept. 21, 1964. They enjoyed camping, bowling, golfing and traveling together. After almost 51 years of marriage, Donna passed away on June 11, 2002.
Later, Dad met a sweet lady in his ward, Lanae Jones, and married her on Mar. 3, 2005. They spent eight happy years together until her passing on Oct. 6, 2013.
Dad served as Asst. Scoutmaster, Deacon’s Advisor and Sec. of the High Priest Group and often chauffeured missionaries around town.
Dad’s favorite activities in his younger years were golfing, hunting, fishing and bowling. He loved watching Let’s Make A Deal, The Price is Right, old western movies and rodeos on TV and monthly game night with his friends. He liked all kinds of food, but his favorite was his mother’s Suet Pudding and anything chocolate. He also loved taking his family to dinner at Chuck-A-Rama.
Dad leaves behind six children: Steve (Janet), Randy (Kathy), Dewey (Gayleen), Mart (Barbara), Donnette Winder and Darla (Mike) Shaum. Also surviving are 23 grandchilden, 55 great-grandchilden and 8 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, two wives, Donna and Lanae, son Ray and great-grandson Mason Thompson.
A special thanks to Dad’s longtime physician, Dr. Stephen Scharmann, whom he highly respected. Also, thanks to Applegate Hospice and nurse’s Annette, Jan, Kelsey, McKenzie and Nicole and Aide Carissa for their tender care of Dad.
