On April 29, 2023, Frank Henry Olson returned to our Heavenly Father who welcomed him into his loving arms with immense pride and happiness. Frank was 77 and born in Price, Utah on August 24, 1945, to loving parents, Carl Ray and Frankie Elene Bentley-Olson. He was raised on a farm in Wellington, Utah in a very close family with six sisters and two brothers.
Frank married his one and only love of his life, the former Yvonne (Vonnie) Johnson, on September 13, 1965, in Nevada. Frank and Vonnie met when she was 15 and he was 18 and were inseparable since. They had 58 unforgettable, loving years together, and many great memories traveling abroad, along with countless day trips just driving around enjoying their time together.
Frank and Yvonne were blessed with three amazing children, Jacqueline (Corwin) Benedikt, of Germany, Vaughn Frank (Diana) Olson, of Price, and Lieutenant Colonel Dain Carl Olson (Dr. Andrea Olson), of Washington State. Frank has eight beautiful grandchildren, one great-grandson and is expecting one great-granddaughter. His grandchildren are Brittany Olson, Korrin Olson, Kaden (Laura) Olson, Kadie Olson, Giselle Benedikt, Elliott Olson, and twins, Claire, and Wesley Olson. His great-grandson is Jack Olson. His other love was “Kitty,” his favorite cat with whom he such a special relationship. His surviving siblings are Joyce (Garry) Williams, Martin (Ronda) Olson, Brenda (Doug) Knotts, Karla (Mike) Park, and Gordon (Jennie) Olson. He also has many, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Frank’s brothers and sister-in-law are Joseph Johnson, James David (Nikki) Johnson, and Barbara Adams. Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Frankie (Elene) Olson; sisters, (and in-law) Carolyn (James) Mac Lean, Loretta (Tom) Ward, Jeneane (Butch) Powell; parents in-law, Joseph (Martha) Johnson; sister-in-law, Connie Bell Johnson; Uncle Earl (Aunt Stella) Olson; brother-in-law, Bob Adams; and his grandnephew, Jastin Adams.
Frank is a 1964 graduate of Carbon High School, although true to his dreams, he should have graduated in 1963. However, he decided to take off to Denver with his best buddy Scott Atwood to make their fortune. They ended up living on raw potatoes for a while. Frank later returned to school and graduated with a class in 1964, but he always went to both class reunions having a “blast from the past” at each one. Frank is also a 1968 graduate of Utah State University, formerly College of Eastern Utah, earning an associate degree.
The world lost a beautiful, amazing, wonderful soul. He truly loved his God, family, friends, and Country. He lived a worthy life, always putting others before himself, a life enriched and blessed by all who knew him. He found good in everyone. He was independent and hard working. He wasn’t afraid to dig right in and get his hands dirty if it meant providing for his family. He would figure it out and fix anything. His smile would light up the room, and your heart. His presence was felt with love and adoration by all. He was always your biggest fan. He loved looking at pictures and talking about growing up on the farm with his brothers and sisters. His children and grandchildren were and are his heart. He will always love each one and they-him, and he always made each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild feel special. One time at the doctor’s office the doctor was checking his heart and he looked at the doctor and said, “You’re not going to find it, “Chica” stole it,” referring to his four-year-old granddaughter, Claire.
Frank was born to be a farmer raising, cutting, and baling hay for years so his daughter Jacqueline could have her horses. His passions were gardening, collecting cars, dancing (he had quite the moves) operating heavy equipment, hunting, camping, traveling, sports with a love for baseball. His favorite team was the Utah Utes. He also loved spending time with family and friends. When Frank was too young to play Little League, Ray Davis took him under his wing and bought him a baseball glove and shoes so he could play and then Ray put him on the team. Frank wanted to play so badly. Turns out he was a fantastic baseball player and a natural. He spent 25 years and countless hours coaching at many levels while working in the coal mines and raising his crops. Many of his players he coached to this day would come up to him to thank him. One of Frank’s fondest memories was when his team went to the Little League World Series in Idaho, a first for Wellington. Frank always taught the kids fairness and sportsmanship.
Frank was a proud coal miner and a member of the United Mine Workers of America Local Union 1688 District 22. Frank had decades of continuous employment in the mining industry, mostly as a general mechanic and he kept his skills up through training and certification programs. He was a go-getter and an enthusiastic worker with a diverse skill set. Some of his jobs Included beltman, belt instructor, belt and power foreman, belt mechanic repairman, hydraulic repairman, graveyard mine foreman, mine foreman, fireboss, set-up maintenance, roof bolter, heavy equipment operator, labor relations, cost-effective coal mine supervision, safety training and many other certificates of training for comprehensive electricity and mine safety. Frank retired at 62 after many years in the mining and construction industries. He was a proficient heavy equipment operator. Nine Mile Canyon was one of his favorite places to work and visit over the years. He was always happy to give a guided tour of the canyon to family and friends.
There are no words to express how much he will be missed; it is indescribable and we will miss everything about him, including his quick wit, fun sense of humor, and his unmistakable teasing and fun banter. He had a nickname for everyone and was always able to get a smile out of everyone he met. He would say to Vonnie, “How come everyone laughs at my jokes except for you?” while she was really smiling. He was proud of his boys and daughter and he lived for them. May his memory bring us comfort, peace, and strength, today and always.
And last, but not least, he loved his cat named “Kitty” very much, spending day and night with her. Her food and water bowls were never empty, and should she stray outside, he was out at all hours calling to her and looking for her with his favorite flashlight.
To know him is to love him.
On a closing note, the family would to thank the following agencies, businesses, organizations, families, and individuals: King County Sheriff’s Department, Detective Jan Gregory and Chaplain, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Emery County Sheriff’s Office, Skamania County Sheriff’s Department, Adam Kick and SGT Clifford Chehalis, Tribe Law Enforcement Department, the Shipman Family for helping reunite Frank with the family, the volunteer groups on social media, the American Red Cross, the Department of Defense Joint Staff, Reggie the gas station attendant, Peczuh Printing, Allstate Insurance, Price Branch UMWA, specifically Mike Dalpiaz, Gardner Funeral Home, Victoria Lara, and Mitchell Funeral Home.
Funeral service Thursday, May 18, 2023, 11:00 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home, (233 East Main Street, Price, Utah). The family will receive friends starting at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment, Wellington City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Frank online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.