Verna Olsen

Verna Larsen Olsen passed peacefully away at home with her family by her side on November 16, 2025. Prior to her death, she had been kindly and responsibly attended to with loving care by her great-granddaughter, Zoey. Verna was born April 1, 1944, in Mendon, Utah, to Joseph and Viola Larsen. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In her youth Verna was very athletic and skilled at sports. She was a valued player on church teams and on her softball league. She loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed riding our horse, Ricky. She and Ricky were exceptional competitors in barrel racing events. Verna was an avid bowler and looked forward to playing with the gals on her bowling league. After graduating from cosmetology school as a licensed beautician, she opened her own salon where she expertly styled hair for clients, friends and family. Her clientele appreciated her listening ear and genuine concern for them.

Verna married Harlow Bert Olsen (Butch) on January 23, 1974. He became a caring father to her children Kim, Mark and Lance. They bought a farm in Young Ward where the family worked together and enjoyed visits from friends and family. Verna always had a kind heart and compassion for animals. Stray animals were never turned away from her doorstep. She loved and cherished each dog that she owned.

Verna was known for her legendary cooking and baking. She was happy to share her culinary gift with others who received delicious meals, baked goods, and sweet confectioneries from her kitchen. Nancy and Deb often recall how excited they were whenever she made her famous fudge or spaghetti when they were all growing up at home.

Verna’s appreciation for arts and crafts was a constant throughout her life. Her creative spirit extended to ceramics, porcelain dolls, a variety of crafts and sewing. She was an excellent seamstress and made incredible costumes for her porcelain dolls. She knew exactly how to paint the facial features on her dolls to make them look like real babies and children. She enjoyed learning new artistic techniques and establishing different hobbies, often creating handmade gifts for family and friends. For the last few years, she kept busy making greeting cards that were an absolute joy to receive.

Service was a cornerstone of her life as she extended love and compassion towards others. She was very charitable and generous. She loved people, had a great sense of humor, was fun to be with and made many close and lasting friendships wherever she worked and lived throughout her life. When they retired, Verna and Butch moved to Mesquite, Nevada. After Butch passed away, their daughter Kim moved to Mesquite to be with her mom. Lance and his partner Ken settled in Las Vegas so they could be close to her as well. Verna was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. She treasured her grandchildren and spent all the time she could with them. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and forever cherished by the family she loved so deeply.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Viola Larsen, brother Mark Larsen, husband Butch Olsen, son Mark Olsen, and granddaughter Kandice Stokes. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Palmer, son Lance Olsen (Ken), grandson Christopher Stokes (Vikki), great-granddaughter Zoey Stokes, a brother Sydney Larsen (Valerie), and sisters Nancy Larsen and Debby Herget.

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