Karen L. Olsen
June 8, 1946 – September 11, 2025
KAREN L. OLSEN
1946–2025
Alice Karen Hall Lindley Olsen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, passed away peacefully in her home in Weston, Idaho, on September 11, 2025.
Karen was born on June 8, 1946, to Thomas Bradshaw Lindley and Leatha Nuttall Hall Lindley. She was the youngest of six children and had an identical twin sister. Karen grew up on the family farm in Mt. Sterling and graduated from South Cache High School in 1964.
She met her forever companion, Clair, when she was a sophomore in high school. They were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on March 15, 1963. Shortly after, they moved to Fort Hood, Texas, where Clair served in the Army for two years. After his service, they returned to Utah, living in Salt Lake City, Tremonton, Mt. Sterling, Pleasant Grove, and Hyrum. Eventually, they settled in Paradise, where they built their family home, raised their children, and grew old together.
Karen worked at Harman’s Café (the first KFC) in Salt Lake City, as a lunch lady in Pleasant Grove, at Mathew’s Mink Farm in Hyrum, and finally at RR Donnelley in Logan, where she retired in 1998.
She loved being outdoors – whether mowing the lawn, weeding in the garden, or keeping her vehicles spotless. Her greatest joys were horses and camping. She was also a skilled marksman. She drew one of the first elk tags when Hardware Ranch opened for hunting and later drew a lifetime moose tag in the Uinta Mountains. But more than anything, she was a devoted mom, grandma, and great-grandma. Her family was everything to her. She was an excellent cook and loved sharing that talent – especially with her boys, who she worried might starve once they left her loving care.
Karen was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Clair; her parents; siblings; and in-laws. She is survived by her children: Shelesa, Clain (Nicole), Kelley (Julene), and Frank; nine grandsons; nine great-grandchildren; her twin sister; and many nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Paradise 4th Ward Church House, 155 East 9400 South, Paradise, Utah. Graveside services will follow at the Paradise Cemetery, at 12:00.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the skilled nursing staff at Franklin County Medical Center – for their compassionate care during her stays there, to Dr. Bontrager – who could always bring out her smile when nobody else could and to the Cornerstone Home Healthcare aides – who made it possible for her to return and remain home.