Janette Parker Olsen, 98, passed away in St. George, Utah on May 4, 2014. Janette was born, August 21, 1915, in Bennington, Idaho to David J. and Ellen (Ella) Perkins Parker. She was raised in Montpelier, Idaho and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1932.
On August 2, 1935, she married James Olsen in Soda Springs, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple.
Her husband was a cattle rancher, and much of their life from 1935 to 1960 was spent in Ovid and Nampa, Idaho. In 1961, they returned from Nampa to the Bear Lake Valley, where her husband later served as Mayor of Montpelier. Many may remember James and Janette as part owners of the former Thiel and Olsen Brothers hardware store (Tri-State Inc.) and the KVSI radio station. In 1973, she and her husband served in the Georgia, South Carolina mission for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They also served as ordinance workers in the Logan Temple and later worked in the St. George Temple. After retirement they spent the winters in St. George, Utah and the summers in Montpelier, Idaho.
Janette enjoyed serving in various ward and stake positions throughout her life and was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She was blessed with a beautiful voice, and she especially enjoyed singing with her husband in church, for civic affairs, and for many funerals in the Bear Lake Valley.
Janette is survived by four children: Gary Olsen, Lindon, Utah; Bonnie (Robert) Burch, Provo, Utah; Charles (Marsha) Olsen, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Michael (Mona) Olsen, St. George, Utah; daughter-in-law, Melanie Olsen, St. George, Utah; 20 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents, sisters, Lucille Jensen and Lorena Kunz Gold, brother, Ralph Parker, son, Kenneth Olsen, and daughter-in-law, Kathleen Decker Olsen.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m., with a viewing at 1:00 p.m., at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. Interment will be in the Ovid, Idaho Cemetery, Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 1:00pm. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Please visit our website www.metcalfmortuary.