Kathleen Larree Davis Olson

Kathleen Larree Davis Olson, beloved wife, devoted mother, adored grandmother, and attentive sister, passed away peacefully in her home on September 1, 2026, at the age of 78, after a long and brave struggle with multiple illnesses and diseases. She is finally free.

Kathy was born on April 25, 1948, the youngest child of Duncan Heyward Davis and Ethel Lillybelle Player. She grew up in Salt Lake City in the avenues. She graduated from East High School in 1966. She then attended the University of Utah where her love of learning was surpassed only by her love of socializing with classmates and friends. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

While living in the avenues, a cute guy moved into her ward named Craige Olson. He soon left on a mission, but when he returned home, they kept ending up in the same places: an Anthropology class at the “U,” the ward young single adult choir, then the Mormon Youth Chorus and the Mormon Youth Symphony, where Craige sang and Kathy played the violin.

Kathy worked at the Church Administration Building and Craige worked at the bank across the street. One day, she walked over to talk with him during a lunch break and he invited her to go fishing. The fishing didn’t go well, but Kathy liked to tease Craige that she was the best thing he’d ever caught. After that, their romance blossomed. They were drawn to each other, and Craige asked her to marry him. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on March 18, 1971.

Being a mother was central to who Kathy was, and she excelled at it. Kathy cared for Jess, Adam, Jon, and Mike in a way no one else could. She coached many of her sons’ soccer games when the head coach (her husband) was delayed at work helping a patient. She attended all of Jess’ basketball and volleyball games with the younger children in tow. She never missed Jon’s choir concerts, and she attended every single performance of Adam and Mike’s musicals.

Kathy made sure there was always music in the Olson home. She played the piano and the violin. She and her daughter Jessica played violin duets that often devolved into laughter and pure joy. Her love of music often led to the family standing around the piano singing four-part harmony together.

Kathy loved her daughters-in-law dearly. Each of them became a cherished daughter to her. They delighted in spending time together. Her unwavering faith, especially in the face of unending trials, will continue to be an inspiration to each of them.

Her grandchildren adored her. They loved spending time at her house. They enjoyed her endless supply of stickers. She especially loved making the family’s annual vacation to Bear Lake magical for her grandchildren by surprising them each day with a different present. These simple expressions of love ensured that they knew she loved each of them with her whole heart.

Kathy lived courageously with a variety of mental and physical illnesses for much of her life. She was often bedridden. But she endured it all with patience, and it drew her, like Job, into a deep and abiding relationship with God. With His help, she persevered through the pain and was always there for her family.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Craige Olson; her children: Jessica Olson, Adam (and Lynette) Olson, Jonathan (and Kristen) Olson, and Michael (and Kathryn) Olson; and her nine grandchildren: Joseph, Nathan, Samuel, Elise, Cameron, Sloan, Charlotte, Evelyn, and Jack. She is also survived by siblings Sanford Davis and Linda Christensen. She was preceded in death by her parents, Duncan and Ethel Davis, and siblings Heyward, Olive, Jo, Laurie, and Helen.

A viewing will be held at Russon Mortuary at 295 North Main Street in Bountiful, Utah, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services for Kathy will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m at the LDS meetinghouse located at 1250 South Main Street in Bountiful, with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to the funeral. Interment will take place at the Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, in Bountiful.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook Channel and on this obituary below.