St. George, UT - Kenneth Olsen passed away July 18, 2010 surrounded by family at the age of 71 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kenneth was born to James Olsen and Isabelle Janette Parker Olsen on July 12, 1939 in Montpelier, Idaho. He spent his youth helping on his fathers ranch in Ovid, Idaho. Ken attended school in Montpelier and Nampa, Idaho. He attended Idaho State University before serving a mission to Eastern Canada. Ken felt that he had been extremely fortunate to have had President Thomas S. Monson as his mission president and enjoyed attending his mission reunions each year. Ken was always sharing his testimony wherever he went. Following his mission, Ken graduated from BYU with a Business Degree. He did graduate work at San Francisco State University and earned an MBA from National University. In 1965, Kenneth married the girl of his dreams, Melanie McEwen, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They have five children, twelve grandchildren, and one great-grandson. His family was his most prized possession and his grandchildren loved grandpa and his chocolate milk, chocolate candy, and rides in the big truck. His children loved his jokes, funny faces, work ethic, integrity, and testimony. He set an excellent example for them. Kens professional life began with the Emporium/Capwell Co. in Oakland, California where he participated in the Management Training Program. Buying trips to New York, tours of manufacturing plants, and the management of various departments in five Capwell stores kept Ken busy for eight years. In 1973, Ken found St. George to be ideal for year round golf and proceeded to move his family here to open his own business the Chantilly Shop . Ken spent the next ten years working and associating with other merchants and watching St. George grow. Ken actively worked with the Chamber of Commerce, the St. George Exchange Club, and Dixie State College. Ken enjoyed teaching at Dixie State College from 1984 to 1991 as an instructor in the Business Department. In 1991, Utah Valley State College contracted with Ken to implement a Driver Training Course for truckers, and he became a Utah State third party tester for CDL classified licenses. Ken worked with Dats, and Andrus Transportation before becoming an owner/operator of his own company. He has driven through 47 states, and covered 2,100,000 miles in 14 years. In the business, Ken was known as the go to man if an important load needed to be delivered. He drove as hard as any team could. Ken had a great love for golf and he has played over 350 golf courses in 43 states and around the world. The question is did he golf to truck or truck to golf ? Ken has always been actively involved in the community and was a Charter Member of the St. George Exchange Club. He served as the St. George Exchange Club President and President Elect and President of the Rocky Mountain District Exchange Club. His association with city, state and national Exchange Club Members has always been important to him. He loved the national conventions and meeting members from all over the country. Ken has held various positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has attended over 90 different LDS wards and branches in 19 states as he has driven across the country. He always called ahead to see if the next city had a church he could attend as he drove through. Kens goal was to serve another mission and play the last three golf courses on his wish list. But we know he has plenty of missionary work to do now spliced between tee times with his dad on the heavenly courses. We are really going to miss you, you old sandbagger . We love you. Ken is survived by his wife, Melanie; children: Stephanie (Shawn) Anderson, Thomas (Gina) Olsen, David Olsen, Rhett (Rebecca) Olsen, Tiffanie Olsen; twelve grandchildren and one great-grandson; mother, Janette P. Olsen; brothers and sister: Gary (Kathy) Olsen, Bonnie (Robert) Burch, Charles (Marsha) Olsen, Michael (Mona) Olsen; nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, James Olsen and various aunts and uncles. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the St. George LDS 17th Ward Chapel, 200 West 500 North, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Wednesday, July 21st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd. and on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m at the Chapel, prior to services. Interment will be held Friday, July 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Panguitch City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.