Stanley Hanks Olsen

Stanley Hanks Olsen, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on May 24, 2021, of complications incident to Parkinson’s disease. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and children. We will never forget his tremendous courage, patience, and forbearance in the face of his health problems. He would like for us to express his profound gratitude to his caregivers. We invite those who attend the funeral to wear red and black to honor Stan’s West High days.

Stan was born on February 15, 1945, the third of six children, to LeGrand and Beulah Olsen. He grew up on DeSoto Street in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had happy memories of his Capitol Hill neighborhood and the lifelong friends he made there. Stan stayed close with his siblings and dear friends all his life. He loved to reminisce about childhood exploits with his brothers and sister. Stan said elastic band fights and an occasional fist fight punctuated their “vigorous existence.” He said of his family home, “Our home was a place of happiness and contentment where honesty and integrity were taught and practiced.”

He attended Lafayette Elementary School in Salt Lake where he first gained an interest in sports. Stan took swimming and basketball lessons at the Deseret Gym. He notes, in his journal, that his interest in the law as a future career was sparked at the Desert Gym when, as a boy, he met several judges who were acquainted with his father, LeGrand.

Stan continued to participate in sports at Horace Mann Junior High. As captain, Stan led the 7th grade basketball team to victory. He also participated in the Pentathlon competition sponsored by the Desert News. He participated for three years, twice finishing first in the school and region competitions and twice finishing third in the intermountain states.

Stan graduated from West High School in 1963. While at West, he was named to the Utah State All-Star Team in baseball. He also played basketball at West High. He was seminary president his senior year. According to Stan, “I served totally without distinction, although it was an enjoyable experience and provided some incentive to study the gospel.”

Stan served in the U.S. Army reserves. He attended basic training at Fort Ord, California and trained for six months at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Stan said that his time spent in the military was a good, but trying experience. He served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the North Central States. Stan’s mission experiences were memorable and a highlight of his life.

After his mission, Stan returned to school at the University of Utah and started working at Beneficial Life Insurance Company where he met Patsy K. Fail who became his wife on August 16, 1967. Stan commented in his journal that he loved Patsy at first sight.

Stan and Pat are the parents of six children, Jill, Jennifer, Emily, John, Camille and Thomas. Stan was a dedicated and loving father. He spent countless hours helping with homework, coaching sports, and attending swim, track and cross country meets, basketball and baseball games and school events. When helping with math homework, Dad insisted that there was plenty of paper to work with. He was not a fan of working out problems in cramped spaces. He would only proceed after working out the practice problems first, much to the chagrin of those of us hoping to make short work of the assignment. He was always willing to listen, offer advice, suggest good reading material, play catch and spend time with his children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren. His family was the center of his life.

He graduated from law school at the University of Utah in 1972. Stan worked as a lawyer for the County of Los Angeles, the Salt Lake City Prosecutor’s Office, the Utah Attorney General’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. He was a man of integrity in his life and work. He was always an advocate for the less fortunate.

Stan was an athlete all his life. He ran two marathons. He loved to play catch with anyone, anywhere, at any time. He always had his baseball mitt on hand, including at work. When working as an Assistant United States Attorney, Stan and two of his co-workers took a break from their work to throw a baseball in the parking lot. One of the federal judges was so tickled by this that he came out and took their picture. Stan loved flying kites. His favorite gadgets were flashlights, clocks, and watches. He was always interested in making sure our watches were set to the correct time and were running properly. When Stan was around, there was laughter. We remember a time, at a family gathering, when he jumped in the swimming pool at Camp Williams in his business suit, including shoes and tie!

Stan served for seven years as the Bishop of the Capitol Hill 2nd Ward. He was dedicated to serving the ward members. He had a firm and unwavering testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was honorable in every aspect of his life. His words of advice when any of his family were upset about something were, “Be at peace” or “Let it go.”

Dad genuinely cared about others. He left a family legacy of humor, gratitude, and compassion. He had a personal touch with people. He always encouraged his family members to be kind and to travel safely. His strength in the face of his health challenges was inspiring to all who witnessed it. Walking the journey with him to the end of his life was an honor that each member of our family and extended family will hold dear. We miss him, but know he has had a joyous reunion with those who have passed on. We feel his love and presence in our lives. We love and miss you Dad!

Stan was preceded in death by his beloved parents, LeGrand and Beulah Olsen, brother, David Olsen, brother-in-law, Willie Cowden and his dear father and mother-in-law George (Bud) and Frances Fail. He is survived by his wife, Patsy and children: Jill and Randy Clark, Jennifer and Paul Welsh, Emily and Dana Adams, John and Areli Olsen, Camille and Mike Curto, and Thomas and Kelsi Olsen, and 20 grandchildren: William, Thomas, and Samuel Clark, Isabella and Antonio Johnston, Aiden, Addie, Matthew, and Lili Welsh, Dane, Scottie, Tate, J, and Emel Adams, Olivia, Lucas, and Milana Olsen, Vinnie Curto, and Charli, Avery, and Reagan Olsen; His siblings and sisters-in-law, Katherine Olsen, Noel and Mary Olsen, Richard Olsen, Rebecca Cowden, and Barry and Carla Olsen; brothers and sisters-in-law, Burl and Linda Malmborg and Steven and Kay Fail; and many nieces and nephews; Sorenson, Hanks, and Olsen cousins, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 3, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Capitol Hill Ward, 413 North West Capitol Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Family and friends may visit Wednesday, June 2, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Ward and from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday morning, prior to the funeral services.

Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.