Our angel mother, Ann Louise Francom Olsen passed away peacefully at the age of 77 years on November 29, 2019 of natural causes. Ann is fondly remembered by family and friends for her radiance of love and kindness, her devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ and for her delightful sense of humor.
Born three months premature, Ann was delivered on December 6, 1941 in Los Angeles, California, the day before Pearl Harbor was bombed at the onset of World War II. She was the third child and only daughter of her loving parents, Reva Christensen and Gordon Joseph Francom. Shortly thereafter, the family moved back to Utah and she was raised in the small and supportive community of American Fork.
Some of Ann’s most cherished memories stem from the relationships she developed with dear friends in the Columbia Village neighborhood who attended the same schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. A 1960 graduate of American Fork High School, Ann was chosen as a representative student of her class to speak during graduation exercises and was also a cheerleader. She looked forward to and attended most of her high school reunions over the past 60 years.
Following high school graduation, Ann attended BYU and was selected to be part of the inaugural Honors Program. Though family circumstances prevented her from graduating, she emphasized to each of her posterity the importance of completing a college education and has found great satisfaction in their personal, professional and educational accomplishments.
Ann held many church positions including Young Women’s President, Relief Society Counselor and was a dedicated visiting teacher. A gifted musician, she served as ward organist for her local congregations for nearly 30 years. During her teen years she sang in a trio and was a piano accompanist for many performances throughout her life. She understood the value of good music and helped her children learn to sing, play the piano and violin, and constantly sought out opportunities for our lives to be enriched with uplifting and wholesome cultural experiences.
Ann married Ron Ellis Olsen on May 12, 1962. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her greatest joys came from her personal worship as a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and from her family, which grew to include nine children, 34 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Ann and Ron were well known for their Rocking “O” horse trailer business in Nephi, Utah during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. It was during this time period that their two-year-old son Rick drowned. The positive and faith-filled way they dealt with his sudden death and their consistent efforts to keep his memory alive has proven a great source of inspiration and strength to the entire family.
In 1976, Ann and her family moved to Flagstaff, AZ and then in 1988 to Mesa, AZ. In each location, lasting friendships were cultivated that Ann cherished throughout her life. She was a hard worker and held full-time jobs for many years. She began working for the Mayo Medical Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ in 1990 and valued the relationship she had with renowned urologist Dr. David Utz, for whom she was a medical secretary. Ann retired in 2006. A great blessing of her employment was the outstanding treatment she has received over the years from caring medical professionals, many of whom were personal friends.
For the past several years, Ann lived in a casita next door to her son Rand and Shelly Olsen, who lovingly cared for her and helped to meet her daily needs. We wish to express gratitude for their goodness and dedication to mom’s happiness and well-being. Additionally, the family expresses gratitude for the nurses who helped her to be comfortable in the last days of her life.
Ann looked forward to being reunited with her loved ones who had preceded her in death including her parents Gordon and Reva Francom, brother David, husband Ron Olsen, son Rick Don Olsen, and grandson Thaddeus Gordon Veal.
She is survived by eight children: Ron A. Olsen (Karrissa); Russell G. Olsen (Diana); Rand S. Olsen (Shelly); Robin A. (Joseph Robert) Wirthlin; Rachelle R. (Kevin) Olsen-Veal; Roxane R. (Stephen) Whyte; Ryan C. Olsen; Rebecca L. (Alan) McHood.
Though we have said goodbye for now, we know that she will continue on as our angel mother, watching over all of us.
Friends and loved ones are invited to attend the following services to celebrate her life. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 4 from 6-8pm at Green Acres Mortuary, 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ. Funeral services will take place at 11:00am on Thursday, December 5 at the Cloud Creek Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 21915 E. Cloud Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:30 to 10:30am.
Interment will take place on Saturday, December 7 in the Levan, Utah Town Cemetery. Afterward, a Memorial Service will be held at 12:30pm in Mapleton, Utah at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 1068 South 1600 West Highway 89.
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