Linne Olson

Linnè Marlin Olson passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 19th in St. George Utah at the age of 94 surrounded by his wife of 70 years and children. Linnè was born on October 7th 1923 in Lyman Wyoming to Grava Vedel and Sylvia Matilda Youngberg Olson. Linnè spent his early years in Lyman and Superior Wyoming. Linnè attended Brigham Young University prior to enlisting for military service in the Marine Corps on December 14th 1942, and served in the South Pacific during World War II. On December 1, 1945 Linne was honorably discharged from the military having attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon return from the war he attended the University of Wyoming receiving a degree in Civil Engineering. Linnè was active in the LDS institute at UW and met the love of his life, MarJeanne Stevens, his eternal companion while attending the university. Linnè and MarJeanne were married in Byron, Wyoming on December 20th 1947 by MarJeanne's father Walter Stevens. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on April 2, 1948. Linnè began his construction career in Glenwood Springs, CO building an LDS church and several homes in the area. He came to Rawlins in 1949 to build an LDS church on Walnut Street and remained in Rawlins building a successful general contracting business with MarJeanne and starting other enterprises related to the construction business including Build Rite Lumber & Supply. Under his direction L. M. Olson, Inc. eventually became one of the four largest general building contractors in the State of Wyoming. The company completed building projects in almost all communities throughout Wyoming in addition to projects constructed in Colorado, Utah, Arizona and California. He was a respected business man in the State and made many friends and acquaintances. Contractors and Owners who worked for him knew him to have integrity, to be honest and fair dealing. Linnè loved Rawlins and was involved in the community and served on many community boards including the Carbon County School Board as a member and Chairman, and as a Director of the Rawlins National Bank. In 1990 Linnè turned over management of the businesses to his sons after being called to serve a mission for the LDS Church in Tahiti. Linnè was an active member of the LDS church serving in many positions including as Bishop for eight years and several years as a Stake Patriarch. He was a humble and righteous man devoted to his beliefs and desire to practice the same in his everyday life. Linnè was a loving father and built his business with his family in mind. He rose early in the morning for work but always sought to be home in the evening to be with the family. Family and work were two great passions in his life and he was thankful that these two came together successfully through several generations of family. As a father he instilled the value of hard work in each of his children and often had the opportunity to share these values with his grandchildren. Involvement of his children and grandchildren in family businesses was important and did not overshadow, but enriched family relationships. Family looked forward to corporate meetings twice a year that blended business with family reunion. Linnè took great joy in his grandchildren and great grandchildren and delighted in playing games with them. He was an excellent player of the card game Rook and many of his children and grandchildren learned how to play while sitting on his knee. In later years, Linnè and MarJeanne enjoyed retirement spending time between Rawlins and St George, Utah. Linnè Is survived by his wife, MarJeanne Stevens Olson, sister Elaine Welch, children Steven (Janet) Olson, Gregg (Victoria) Olson, Gary (Dolly) Olson, Sam (Tracy) Olson, Eric (Leslie) Olson and Cathrine (Don) Glover. Grandchildren, Nathan (Andrea) Olson, Danielle (Brandon) Forbush, Amber (Linzie) Green, Maureen (Matt) Arnold, Laura Olson, Eli Olson, Riley (Kyla) Olson, Brody (Elizabeth) Olson, Ruth (Bud) Cooke, Erika Rowell, Scarlett Olson, Jennifer Boykin, Eric (Brooke) Hansen, Sydney White, Jessica White, Bentley White, Jaqueline White, Lindsey Olson, Joshua (Emily) Olson, Rebecca (Alan) Witt, Zachary Olson, Zach (Stacie) Glover, Randee (Jesse) Higgins, Lindsy (Derin) Burningham, Jeffery (Kimberly) Beatty, Patrick (Natalie) Beatty, Meghan Beatty and 43 great grandchildren Services will be held on Friday May 25th at 11:00 A.M. at the LDS Church at 509 E. Kendrick Street. Graveside services will follow at the City of Rawlins Cemetery.

Service

Friday, May 25, 2018 11:00am

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

509 E. Kendrick St.

RAWLINS, WY

Interment

Rawlins Cemetery

915 Third St.

RAWLINS, WY