Verla (Patterson) Olsen

Verla Patterson Olsen was born March 26, 1930, in West Point, Utah, to William Leonard Patterson and Edith Elda Holley Patterson, and passed away Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the age of 93, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Verla graduated from Burley High School in 1948. She married her sweetheart, Robert Bruce Olsen, of Iona, Idaho, on October 25, 1949, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Verla loved her family and dedicated her whole life to their eight daughters, 45 grandchildren, 129 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

Verla was proficient in sewing and baking bread and loved sharing fresh bread with her family and friends. She enjoyed many other homemaking skills to help provide for a large family. One of Verla’s greatest talents was praising and cheering on her children and grandchildren for their accomplishments. Her husband, Bob, always spoke highly of her as a woman and likened her to an angel.

Verla loved the simple life; feeling a cool summer breeze on her patio porch swing, or singing a lullaby in her favorite rocking chair with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading and watching a good movie.

Verla was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings throughout her life. Her dedication to the Savior, Jesus Christ, was apparent to all who knew her.

Verla is survived by her children, Lola (Michael) Harrigfeld of Milo, ID, MaryLu (Rodney) Blaylock of Rigby, ID, Linda (Carl) Taylor of Idaho Falls, ID, Debbie (Rick) Denning of Iona, ID, Marjorie (Dan) Rodela of Mapleton, UT, Ranae (Lloyd) Cox of Idaho Falls, ID, Suzanne Olsen of Iona, ID, Robalyn (Dan) Gubler of Iona, ID; her sister, Jeri Banner of Brigham City, UT; and her brother, Gaylin (Joetta) Patterson of Burley, ID.

Verla was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents, Leonard and Elda; her older brother, Lloyd Patterson; her younger sister, Bernice Teagan; her son-in-law, David Arnold Wilson; and her granddaughter, Danae Verla Rodela.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Iona First Ward, 5169 Denning Avenue, Iona, Idaho, with Bishop Craig Curtis officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery. Flowers can be sent to Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, Ammon, Idaho.

You may view the service via Zoom.