April 26, 1928 ~ Oct. 15, 2020
Melba Joy (Martin) Olsen of Nephi, Utah, loving mother, wife, sister, grandmother and great grandmother passed away on October 15, 2020.
She was born on April 26, 1928 in Scipio, Utah to father Wesley Martin and mother Zella Memmott Martin. She enjoyed growing up and attending school in Scipio and graduated from Millard High School. She married her sweetheart, Donald Olsen on September 20, 1946 in Scipio; the marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple.
Her and Donald moved their family to Nephi in 1964 where she had numerous jobs but worked many years for Pexton Wholesale. Family and home life were very important to her where she always taught and set a strong example of work ethic and frugality, washing and reusing disposal plastic plates and cups.
Melba loved spending time with family and will be remembered for her love, kindness, humor, endless candy drawers, homemade caramels and puddin’ pops. She loved walking around town, watching ballgames while cheering on her grand and great-grandchildren, playing cards on Friday with her sisters, traveling, and camping. Every grandchild received and cherished their homemade quilts and afghans from Grandma. On Saturday evenings, she could be found listening to polka and Daniel O'Donnell music, hoping he would appear, sit next to her, and sing her a song. As a member of the LDS Church she served in various callings, but most enjoyed visiting teaching.
Survived by her children Ross (Julie) Olsen of Fillmore, Beverly Hooton of Taylorsville, and Tracy (Tamra) Olsen of Nephi, 13 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Siblings Opal Butler, Jessie Ann Wood, and Bonnie Kendall. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers and two sisters, daughter in-law, Carolyn Roper Olsen and son-in-law Steve Hooton.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 23, 2020 at 12 p.m. at the Nephi North Stake Center, 1125 North 400 East, with a viewing one hour prior to the services. Masks will be required at all services.
