Merle Pace Olsen Obituary (1905 - 2006)

Merle Pace Olsen OGDEN - Merle Pace Olsen (Aunt Merle) passed away May 10, 2006. She was born on April Fool's Day, 1905 and claimed to have been foolish ever since. She grew up in New Harmony, Utah, the youngest of nine children. She had a happy childhood amid people that loved her. She read books, played cowboy's with her brother, chased butterflies, and picked snow flowers on Pine Valley Mountain. Her parent's, Lemual A. and Susan Clark Pace, leading citizens in this small community, taught her the important values of life by example: kindness, honesty, ethics, charity, spirituality and love. In 1925 she graduated from The Branch Agricultural College in Cedar City, now Southern Utah State University. She taught school in Cedar City, Utah. She was a social case worker for the Weber County Department of Public Welfare for 22 years. She married Glen R. Olsen on June 30, 1927, a wonderful marriage that lasted for more than 50 years. He preceded her in death January 1, 1978. She is survived by her "Children", Phyllis Purdy (David), Ogden; Clare P. Naegle (Elaine), Clearfield; and Pat Scalise (Jim), Ogden; her dear grandchildren; great-grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews; and a vast number of dear friends. She loved her neighbors and all of the wonderful people with whom she attended church in the old 29th Ward. Her keen sense of humor and zest for life endeared her to everyone she met. Her love of children was expressed in many ways. She had a story for every occasion, and if she didn't know one, she made one up. Every Monday for years our "Cookie Lady" gave any child that knocked on her door a goodie. She and Glen enjoyed traveling. They visited nearly all fifty states, Mexico, Canada and the Holy Land. They toured Europe and South America. She was an avid reader, always reading her scriptures before reading novels or educational material. She was still writing poetry when she was 100 years old. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She held many positions over the years for both the Stake and Ward. She was a natural teacher and taught everything from Primary to the Gospel Doctrine and Temple Preparation Classes. She and Glen were Temple officiators when the Ogden Temple was first opened. She did temple work there well into her nineties. The family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of the wonderful people at the Mountain Ridge Assisted Living, where she had made her home since last July. We also want to thank all of the special people from Hospice for Utah. These individuals, especially, Melissa Christensen, have given her loving comfort, advice and service. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden 100 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 May 12, 2006 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceMyers Mortuary - Ogden 1875 Monroe Blvd Ogden, Utah 84401 May 13, 2006 11:00 AM