Anna Svedin Olson

March 11, 1937 - June 23, 2013

Anna Mae Svedin Olson passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, June 23, 2013 upon completion of her journey here in mortality. Her beautiful soul touched the lives of many and we are grateful and blessed to be celebrating her faithful and inspired life. Anna Mae was born March 11, 1937 at Elko General Hospital in Nevada to Paulus and Maude Ethel Svedin. She was the youngest of 8 children: Paulus, Iona, Della, Carrie, Walter, Maude Ethel, Mary and then herself. She lived in Deeth, Nevada until the age of 17. She then attended LDS Business College from August 1955 to April 1956, graduating with a stenographer's degree. In 1956, she worked as a secretary in the Records Office of the Geneological Society. Anna Mae developed and strengthened her musical talents and abilities early in her life. In 3rd grade she started learning the piano, staying after school to take lessons from the music teacher. In 5th grade she learned to play the violin, and in 8th grade she was the pianist for the school choir. She loved the hymns and practiced them a lot. When she was twelve, she played the piano for Sunday School and Mutual. Later as a teenager she often was the substitute for the pianist in Primary. When she was fifteen she was asked to play the piano for the Sunday School and summer Bible School at the Congregational Church. She did not accept pay but was grateful for the opportunity to serve. She also learned to play the organ when she was sixteen. Anna Mae met her husband Howard in the spring of 1955, while he was working in Wells, Nevada at the depot as a telegrapher. At that time she was working as a waitress at the El Rancho Café in Wells. They were married on December 7, 1957 in Salt Lake City. Anna Mae has always been a devoted wife to her husband. She has always followed him wherever his jobs have taken them. They have lived in North Dakota, Utah, back to North Dakota, Minnesota, and finally back to Utah. She helped her husband with his work while bearing and raising 6 children, teaching piano lessons, and even running a group home in Minnesota, where they cared for several individuals that required special care, including Alzheimer's. Even with all of these extra responsibilities, she always put her husband first. She has been a great example of building a strong and eternal marriage. Anna Mae felt it a privilege and blessing to serve her Savior, Jesus Christ. Among other positions, she served in the LDS Church as Relief Society President, Visiting Teacher, Ward Organist and Pianist. She helped with Road Shows and had many other opportunities to use her musical talents and serve her neighbors and ward members in many capacities. She also had many lifelong friends. Anna Mae was a loving, dedicated mother and grandmother. She supported her children in sports, music, and other extra-curricular activities. She made it a point to attend all of their special events as much as she could. She taught her children and some of her grandchildren the piano as well. Watching her grandchildren develop and share their talents brought her tremendous joy. She always remembered birthdays and holidays and had an amazing capacity to remember dates and details which astounded all of her descendants. She made everyone in her family feel special and loved and she had a close relationship with every member. She was an incredible example to her family and everyone around her. Anna Mae is survived by her husband Howard Olson; 2 sisters: Maude Ethel Johansen of Layton, UT, and Mary Longmore of Kearns, UT; her 6 children: Paulette Wiscow of Rochester MN; Howard (Marilee) Olson of Lindon, UT; Pamela (David) Edwards of Bountiful, UT; Mark (Sandra) Olson of Santa Clara, UT; Patricia (Leonardo) Pedroza of Provo, UT; Clarence (Maria) Olson of Payson, UT; 28 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. Join us in celebrating her life on Friday, June 28, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., at the Lakeside 14th Ward Chapel, 2530 West 200 South, Provo, UT. Friends may call at the church from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. The graveside service will follow at the Herriman City Cemetery in Herriman, UT. Condolences may be sent through her obituary at www.bergmortuary.com.