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Judith Olsen Obituary
Visit the Utah Simple Cremations website to view the full obituary.
Judith Irene (Pilon) Olsen, "Judy," aged 84, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by her loving family. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend with abundant compassion for everyone. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Judy was born on February 9, 1940, to Richard and Margaret (McCarthy) Pilon of Minneapolis. She attended Ascension Grade School, then St. Anthony of Padua High School while also working in the dietary department of one of the local hospitals. Soon after graduating, she studied at St. Mary's School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota, and became a licensed practical nurse. She practiced only a short time before marrying her longtime family friend, Douglas Olsen, in December of 1962. After having three children, her focus shifted from nursing to devoted mother and wife as she raised her beautiful
family. Despite leaving the nursing profession, her compassion and desire to help others persisted and could be seen in her many activities and community involvement.
Judy attended and volunteered at church throughout her life, remaining faithful to the Lord despite life's challenges. Her generosity, self-sacrificing nature and unconditional love touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She constantly sought ways to bless others and loved giving gifts. She always carried a rosary and prayed for those in need as well as for her family and friends. She loved to laugh at herself and make others laugh with her
while not being not afraid to say what she thought.
After Douglas, her husband of 60 years, passed, she loved being with her daughter, Jeanne, in Salt Lake City. She engaged in various activities at church and enjoyed practicing her knitting skills at the craft club and visiting with the lovely ladies of her Sunday school class. She never missed an opportunity to welcome someone new or visit with members of the congregation. In recent years she discovered her love for fashion and always looked stylish, shopping at the Loft, where she was known by name. She enjoyed food and trying new restaurants, often inviting to treat others. When she wasn't shopping or out to lunch, her favorite pastimes included calling her friends to chat, coloring, reading the bible and devotionals, and dancing.
Judy is preceded in death by husband Douglas Leo Olsen, parents Margaret and Richard Pilon, and brother Richard Pilon. She is survived by children Douglas Gilbert (Peggy), Jeanne Marie Deitz (Jerry), and Christopher Dale (Jessica); grandchildren Maxwell Douglas Deitz (Adeline), Anikka Grace Deitz, Ashlynn Kate Gribskov (Branden), and Austen Elizabeth Lepore; great-grandchild Olivia Ann Gribskov; sister Rosemary Lawson and many friends and extended family. Judy was a bright light and inspiration who will be greatly missed.
Celebrations of life will be held in Salt Lake City and Eden Prairie. We invite everyone to wear something purple in Judy's honor. For those unable to attend, the service portion of each celebration will be live-streamed.
Salt Lake City: Saturday, January 11th at Risen Life Church, 2780 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life, followed by a luncheon. Please contact the family for a private link to view the live stream, which can be shared via email or text.
Eden Prairie: Thursday, January 16th at Pax Christi Church, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, 10:00 a.m. Visitation, 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life, followed by a luncheon. Live-stream link: https://www.paxchristi.com/livestream.aspx?subheadertext=Live+Stream
Judy will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota next to her husband.
In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to express sympathy is welcome to consider making a donation to the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, Risen Life or Pax Christi in honor of Judy.
Huntsman Mental Health Foundation Donation Link, click "Give":
https://huntsmanmentalhealthfoundation.org/
Risen Life Church Donation Link:
https://myrisenlifeutah.churchcenter.com/giving
Pax Christi Donation Link:
https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/paxchristi
Judy was born on February 9, 1940, to Richard and Margaret (McCarthy) Pilon of Minneapolis. She attended Ascension Grade School, then St. Anthony of Padua High School while also working in the dietary department of one of the local hospitals. Soon after graduating, she studied at St. Mary's School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota, and became a licensed practical nurse. She practiced only a short time before marrying her longtime family friend, Douglas Olsen, in December of 1962. After having three children, her focus shifted from nursing to devoted mother and wife as she raised her beautiful
family. Despite leaving the nursing profession, her compassion and desire to help others persisted and could be seen in her many activities and community involvement.
Judy attended and volunteered at church throughout her life, remaining faithful to the Lord despite life's challenges. Her generosity, self-sacrificing nature and unconditional love touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She constantly sought ways to bless others and loved giving gifts. She always carried a rosary and prayed for those in need as well as for her family and friends. She loved to laugh at herself and make others laugh with her
while not being not afraid to say what she thought.
After Douglas, her husband of 60 years, passed, she loved being with her daughter, Jeanne, in Salt Lake City. She engaged in various activities at church and enjoyed practicing her knitting skills at the craft club and visiting with the lovely ladies of her Sunday school class. She never missed an opportunity to welcome someone new or visit with members of the congregation. In recent years she discovered her love for fashion and always looked stylish, shopping at the Loft, where she was known by name. She enjoyed food and trying new restaurants, often inviting to treat others. When she wasn't shopping or out to lunch, her favorite pastimes included calling her friends to chat, coloring, reading the bible and devotionals, and dancing.
Judy is preceded in death by husband Douglas Leo Olsen, parents Margaret and Richard Pilon, and brother Richard Pilon. She is survived by children Douglas Gilbert (Peggy), Jeanne Marie Deitz (Jerry), and Christopher Dale (Jessica); grandchildren Maxwell Douglas Deitz (Adeline), Anikka Grace Deitz, Ashlynn Kate Gribskov (Branden), and Austen Elizabeth Lepore; great-grandchild Olivia Ann Gribskov; sister Rosemary Lawson and many friends and extended family. Judy was a bright light and inspiration who will be greatly missed.
Celebrations of life will be held in Salt Lake City and Eden Prairie. We invite everyone to wear something purple in Judy's honor. For those unable to attend, the service portion of each celebration will be live-streamed.
Salt Lake City: Saturday, January 11th at Risen Life Church, 2780 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life, followed by a luncheon. Please contact the family for a private link to view the live stream, which can be shared via email or text.
Eden Prairie: Thursday, January 16th at Pax Christi Church, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, 10:00 a.m. Visitation, 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life, followed by a luncheon. Live-stream link: https://www.paxchristi.com/livestream.aspx?subheadertext=Live+Stream
Judy will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota next to her husband.
In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to express sympathy is welcome to consider making a donation to the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, Risen Life or Pax Christi in honor of Judy.
Huntsman Mental Health Foundation Donation Link, click "Give":
https://huntsmanmentalhealthfoundation.org/
Risen Life Church Donation Link:
https://myrisenlifeutah.churchcenter.com/giving
Pax Christi Donation Link:
https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/paxchristi
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