- Date Of Birth: July 15, 1938
- Date Of Death: February 11, 2018
- State: Idaho
Sheila Ann Olsen, 79, peacefully passed away on February 11, 2018, surrounded by loved ones at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
Sheila was born in Logan, Utah, on July 15, 1938, and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She met her husband, Dennis, while attending Brigham Young University in 1957. In 1962, she and Dennis, and their two toddlers, Steve (Suzette) and Linda (Owen) moved to Idaho Falls, where she resided for the rest of her life and gave birth to eight other children, Lori (Glen), Timothy (Cynthia), Maria (Ron), Nathan (Allison), Mark (Shannon), Aaron (Cari), Sarah (Rick) and Jonathan (Deanna). Along with raising her children, Sheila turned into a highly influential force for good in the community and state, from which she forged an everlasting legacy – nearly 33 of those years without her dear husband who unexpectedly passed away in 1985 when six of their ten children were ages 6-17.
Sheila’s wide-ranging list of capacities in which she served include the following: Commissioner of the Idaho Human Rights Commission (just appointed to a third term), Commission of the Idaho Redistricting Commission (2011), Charter Member of the Mayor’s Cultural Awareness and Human Relations Committee (1991-2003), Charter Member of Mayor’s Race Relations Ambassador’s Committee (2004), Commissioner of the Idaho Falls ADA Accessibility Commission (6 years), Chair and long-time member of the board for the Development Workshop Foundation, Co-founder of the annual “Unity in the Community” Prayer-a-Thon (1994-2004), founding board member of the Governor’s Work Force Development Council (1997-98), Alumni Board Member of Brigham Young University (1993-1998), member of the Idaho Department of Labor Employment Security Advisory Council (1995-97), and member of the Electoral College (1988 George H.W. Bush).
Sheila had a passion for patriotism and an uncanny ability to utilize the political process to protect our freedoms and advance worthwhile policies. Her career in politics included a long-time member of the Idaho Republican Women, Republican Precinct Committeewoman (30 years), and Vice-Chair and member of the Idaho Region VII Republican Party. Many a candidate recognized her political acumen. As such, she was a consultant or coordinator for U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (1992, 2016), Governor Butch Otter (1994, 2006, 2010 and 2014), Superintendent Tom Luna (2006), U.S. Senator Larry Craig (1990), Governor Phil Batt (2002), and several others. She was currently serving as the Bonneville County Coordinator for the Brad Little for Governor campaign.
From 1985 through 2017 Sheila held an annual 4th of July “flag-raising” ceremony using the flag pole erected on her front lawn by her neighbors in honor of Dennis. Through the years this event enjoyed distinguished speakers and performers. The event was attended by friends and neighbors, as well as many of the local and statewide elected officials. It was not unusual to have most of the statewide elected officers in attendance.
