Marilyn Ann Mathis Olson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother peacefully passed from this life at her home in Millcreek, Utah on November 26, 2021 from causes incident to pulmonary fibrosis. She was born on October 21, 1932 in Salt Lake City to Ivan and Mary Parry Mathis, the fifth of seven children and second of two daughters. She graduated from East High School and attended LDS Business College, BYU, and the University of Utah where she enjoyed singing with the University Chorale.
Marilyn met her eternal companion, Norman A. Olson, at a church fireside in 1953. After a long-distance courtship, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 18, 1954. Together they raised six children and built an enduring heritage of love, faith, and service that will influence the lives of their posterity for generations.
Marilyn was valiant in her testimony of the restored gospel and loved her Savior Jesus Christ. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had many opportunities to serve in both ward and stake leadership positions. She was a gifted gospel teacher and was dedicated in her efforts to minister to others, serving as a caring visiting teacher and compassionate service leader well into her eighties. One of her favorite callings was serving as the ward activities chair where she used her talents for entertaining and organizing memorable events. She and Norman were called as service missionaries to the Salt Lake 1st Laotian-Thai Branch in the University Stake where she learned to appreciate the culture, traditions, and warmth of a wonderful people. She accepted every calling that came to her with enthusiasm and served faithfully in each capacity. She loved the temple and attended regularly for as long as she was able.
Marilyn worked for many years as a telephone operator with Mountain Bell. She later retired as an employee of Sears Roebuck & Co. after thirty-eight years of service. Her most treasured accomplishments were her children and grandchildren. She took great pleasure in watching them grow and achieve desired goals, and was an avid supporter of anyone who desired to pursue righteous endeavors. Marilyn was a talented homemaker and excelled at caring for her home and family, establishing many special traditions. She spent a lifetime serving her loved ones and creating joyful memories for them, which she preserved in beautiful scrapbooks. She loved decorating her home and celebrating the holidays, and was a skilled seamstress, cook, and baker. She enjoyed traveling and was proud of her family’s heritage, which instilled in her a great appreciation for music and history.
She is survived by her children, David Olson (Millcreek, UT), Mark (Pamela) Olson (Sandy, UT), Debra (Thomas) Hathaway (Saratoga Springs, UT), John (Rachel) Olson (Sandy, UT), Michael (Christina) Olson (Victoria, TX), and Diane Olson (Murray, UT); 9 grandsons and 6 granddaughters who brought her great joy and pride; and 8 (soon 9) cherished great-grandchildren who affectionately called her Gaga. She is also survived by her brothers, Don, John, and Jim Mathis. Preceded in death by her devoted husband Norman of 66 years, an infant brother John Parry Mathis, brother Lloyd Mathis, and sister Barbara Prater.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 11, 2021, at the Winder 7th Ward chapel (4350 S. 1100 E., Millcreek, Utah) at 12:00 p.m. and will be streamed live at: https://rebrand.ly/olsonfuneral. A viewing will be held at the same chapel the night before on Friday, December 10, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and from 11:00-11:45 a.m. prior to the service. Masks recommended at the service. Burial at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
