I've been busy since i've been home!! Here are just a couple of the things that have happened...
As many of you know, my sister Cherie married Keith Kahmann the day after I arrived home from Rexburg. It was a wonderful wedding, and it was so wonderful to see those two together. We all knew that they were made for each other!
The family
Bridesmaids!
On a more serious note, recently I lost my grandma Olsen to a stroke. I loved her so much, and it's been hard on our family, because it was just so unexpected. She was a beautiful woman, with many talents. I loved how her smile would always brighten up the room, and of course her stories. My grandma was full of so many cute stories! She passed on a love of music to her children, who in turn passed it on to their children, which is the reason for why I love music so much. My Grandma is a hero in my eyes. She is someone that I will always aspire to be. She was everything a person should be... she was always happy to be around people and made them always feel welcome, she loved everyone so dearly, and especially my grandfather after 50 years of marriage. She always told the story of how they met and fell in love, and I never got sick of it. I hope that I can lead my life as she did, and love as she did.
Grandma Olsen at her 50th wedding anniversary
Grandma and Grandpa Olsen
My cousins at the funeral
My sisters and I at the funeral
Laid to rest with the beautiful Wasatch mountain range in the background
Joan Derrick Olsen
Joan Derrick Olsen 11/11/35 ~ 02/03/06
Our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend, Joan Derrick Olsen, passed from her earthly estate Friday, February 3, 2006 at home in American Fork.
Joan was devoted to her family and loved her husband, children, and grandchildren. She was known for her cheerfulness, friendliness, love, and strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was an avid storyteller and loved telling family and gospel stories. Her love for her ancestors was apparent in her genealogy and temple work. She worked in the Relief Society for many years.
The gift of music was apparent in the Olsen home as she taught her children to love music. Joan played the piano and organ in church for over 50 years. She loved children and enjoyed serving in the Cub Scout and Primary organizations. She is deeply loved and will be missed by all.
Joan was born November 11, 1935 in Logan, Utah to Irven Glade Derrick and Eva Peterson. She married her eternal sweetheart, Albert Lamoin Olsen, Jr., August 17, 1955 in the Salt Lake Temple. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Dixie Jean Derrick; and her brother, Paul Irven Derrick (Loretta). She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Albert Lamoin; her sister, Sylvia Marie Moody (Gordon); five children, Jan Marie Young (Kevin), Carolyn Ann Miles (Kerry), Alan Lee Olsen (Susan), Arlen Lynn Olsen (Laurinda), and Albert Lamoin Olsen, III (Michelle). She is also survived by 29 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2006, 10:00 a.m. at the Larkin Mortuary Chapel, 260 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City. A public viewing will be held between 9:00-9:45 a.m. at the Larkin Mortuary. Internment will follow the services at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive.
"When this life is over my greatest desire is to be with my children and my grandchildren - all of them with this wonderful feeling of content - to look back over our lives and know that we have done the best we could and to know that He will forgive our failings and weaknesses and take care of those around us who have not yet learned this charity or the pure love of Christ in their lives. I leave my testimony and my love of music to my family. Music is that which uplifts and brings peace and contentment to my soul. Much of our church music is taken from the scriptures."
I love you grandma, and hope that one day we'll be together again. You will always be in my heart.
