Doris Marie Harlow Olsen

Doris Marie (Harlow) Olsen passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 6, 2008. Doris was born April 20, 1944 in Louisiana, Missouri to Demoin and Hazel Stedman Harlow. She was the oldest of three daughters.



Doris graduated from Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green, Missouri and Gem City Business College in Quincy, Illinois. She worked for Western Publishing in Hannibal, Missouri for seven years. After moving to Utah in 1971, she worked for Brigham Young University as an audio-visual specialist for thirty-five years.



Doris married the love of her life, Dee Jay Olsen, in the Provo Temple on May 10, 1986. They were together for over 21 years (262 months, per Doris' accurate calculations). One of her favorite sayings was "A love that is true makes one out of two."



Doris was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Dee Olsen of Springville, Utah and two sisters: Dema (Gary) Hilbert of Riverton, Utah and Elaine (Dean) Byrd of Highland, Utah. Her nieces include Shalisa (Shane) Bringhurst of McKinny, Texas, Nicole Byrd of Orem, Utah and Kristen Byrd of Lacy, Washington. Her nephews are Kevin Hilbert of Tempe, Arizona, Chris (Jen) Byrd of Felton, Delaware, David Byrd of Highland, Utah and Ryan Byrd of Highland, Utah. On the Olsen side, Doris is survived by brothers-in-law Kent (Kay) Olsen of Claypool, Arizona, Randy (Jerri) Olsen of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Chris (Barbara) Olsen of Highland, Utah as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their children.



Doris had many talents. She loved practicing the piano. One Sunday she played all the songs in the LDS Hymn book from beginning to end. She crocheted doilies, afghans, collars, baby quilts and many other projects, most of which she gave away as gifts to family and friends. Doris was an avid collector of coins, stamps, postcards, but her favorite collection was nativities of which she had over 400 from all over the world. She enjoyed memorizing poems, quotes and even long documents including "The Living Christ," and "The Family Proclamation." She loved her nieces and nephews and faithfully remembered them on birthdays, holidays and special occasions.



Doris was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her strong testimony was a powerful influence for good on those around her. She served in Church music positions most of her life, beginning piano lessons as a nine-year-old at her father's request in order to fill a vacancy as a branch pianist. Doris was an avid journal writer with daily entries up to a few weeks before her death.



Since Doris retired from her position at Brigham Young University last year, she and Dee have filled their lives with exciting adventures including a cruise to Alaska, and trips to Dallas and Phoenix. Doris loved life and lived it to the fullest. Family and countless friends will truly miss this righteous daughter of God.



A viewing will be held on Monday, March 10, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E. 200 S., Springville, Utah. Funeral services will be held at the Springville West Stake Center, 996 W. Center Street, Springville, Utah at 1:30 p. m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. The family will receive guests one hour before the services. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at 1997 S. 400 E., Springville, Utah immediately following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund in Doris' name.