George was born June 7, 1953 in Boise, Idaho to Albert and Viola Olsen. He was the oldest of their new family of five. He grew up in New Plymouth, ID attending the first Baptist Church and the New Plymouth Schools graduating from the Class of 1972.
George attended Bible College in Grand Junction, CO for a short while before coming back to Idaho. He worked for Amalgamated Sugar Factory in Nyssa, OR. Then he started a small print shop in Payette, ID. He learned typesetting the old fashioned way, one letter at a time. His patient demeanor would prove helpful as he transitioned to the Argus Observer Newspaper in Ontario, OR. He kept various temperamental machines running smoothly, allowing the newspaper to be delivered on time over the years. He retired in 2017 with 37 years under his belt form the Argus Observer.
George married the love of his life, Carol Leann Zuercher, on January 30, 1988. He adopted Carol’s daughter, Shelley and loved her as his own. Later born to this union was another daughter Michelle Leigh in1990.
George, or “Mike” to his family had a distinct laugh and quiet personality that will be greatly missed. He enjoyed helping friends and family and loved them dearly.
George loved his various dogs and cats over the years as family. His sweet dog Peanut is now missing him dearly. Peanut is still hogging your pillow George! George loved the Seattle Seahawks, especially when they would make the playoffs. He always fit in time to watch Nascar with his daughter Michelle.
He is survived by his daughter’s Shelley (Frank) Horton of Baker, OR and Michelle Olsen of Payette, ID; (Michelle’s fiance Daniel Carter of Ontario, OR); brothers, John Olsen of Caldwell, ID and Donald Olsen, of New Plymouth, ID; sister Anita Olsen Keeler of Nampa, ID; granddaughter Aimee Bundy of Baker, OR; six half-brothers and half-sisters and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
George is preceded in death by his wife Carol Olsen, his parents Albert and Viola Olsen, his sister, Diana Martin, his grandparents Beatrice and George Hoyt, and Albert and Prudence Olsen.
