Jay Anthony Olsen

Jay Anthony Olsen, 57, died on February 14, 2009, at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, of an as yet undiagnosed three week long illness, which resulted in sepsis.
Jay was born on August 16, 1951, in Powell, Wyoming, to Vernon Russell Olsen and Dixie Lou Sheets Olsen. He was raised in Powell, where he participated in football and wrestling, graduating from Powell High School in 1970. He attended one semester at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) on a wrestling scholarship. He began welding at age eight, and as a young man completed training at Lincoln Electric in Cleveland, Ohio, where he made the Honor roll. He joined his father in the family welding business in 1974. He operated Olsen Welding and Machine in Powell for 30 years, contracting in the Elk Basin oilfield, and for MI Drilling Fluids in Greybull, Wyoming for many years. Jay was a naturally gifted builder. He also greatly enjoyed boating and water-skiing with his family and friends.
His first brief marriage blessed him with one son and one daughter. Jay married Jan(ice) Lynn Broadland in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on December 31, 1976. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 19, 1981. Jay and Jan were blessed with six more children.
Jay was an active and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and held many callings. He had a special talent for missionary work and a deep love for people.
Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Jan Olsen of Powell, Justin (Rachel) Olsen of Greybull, Wyoming, Janice (Kreyton) Paschall of Burleson, Texas, Costley Olsen of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jacob (Holly) Olsen of Powell, Cana (Cody) Ivie of Las Vegas, Nevada, Candra (John E.) Spees of Powell, and Cailey (Pete) Baxendale of Powell.
Survivors also include his mother, Dixie Sheets Olsen of Powell, and four sisters: Cindy (Carl) Bechtold of Highland Utah, Cheri (Steve) Becker of Las Vegas, Nevada, Christie (Karl) Krivanec of Bountiful, Utah, and Cathy (Brett) Whitlock of Cody, Wyoming.
Jay's surviving grandchildren are Mason and Sydney Olsen, Leyton and Dakota Paschall, Carter, Carson and Cole Olsen, Katelynn and Maddison Ivie, and Conner Spees. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father,Vern Olsen, his infant brother,Gary Russell Olsen, and his youngest child, Jett DeBaecke Olsen.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2009, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the 525 W. Seventh St. chapel, Powell. Viewings will be on Friday, February 20, 2009 at the Thompson Funeral Home at 111 W. Third St. from 6:00-8:00pm, and on Saturday before the funeral from 9:00-9:40am. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery, Powell, Wyoming.