The Springville Utah Lake Commission Representative, Councilman Dean F. Olsen, exemplifies a quiet dignity and strength. Mr. Olsen has a magnetic personality and interacts well with all ages. Whether serving on the Commission or for Springville City, Mr. Olsen studies the issues, and researches plans or suggestions. He has been diplomatic in diverse discussions, and known to be kind in all his actions and decisions. He is one of the sages of the Commission — when he speaks, people listen to his wisdom.
Mr. Olsen’s family moved from his birthplace, Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Brigham City. There he was raised on a farm, being taught hard work and service. After graduation from Box Elder High School, he served two years in the US Army stationed at Thule Air Force Base, Greenland. Following discharge, he enrolled at Utah State University and graduating with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he moved from Logan to Salt Lake City where he was employed with Beneficial Life Insurance. While there, he met and married his wife, Rosie.
During the early part of 1965, a close friend suggested he submit an application for employment with State Farm Insurance Companies as a Bodily Injury Claim Specialist; subsequent to the initial interview, he was selected and he began his 30-year career progressing from claim specialist, sales agent, to agency manager retiring January 1, 1995. During the 20 years as agency manager, he and Rosie were able to qualify for travel to several foreign countries.
In 1975, he and his family made their permanent home in Springville because of the rural atmosphere. “Springville is in close proximity to Salt Lake and yet it is a small community. The city is financially sound, and there is a very efficient, transparent administration.”
The first two years after retirement, he spent completing his basement. But again, wanting to be a public servant, he desired to act as a representative for his community. He ran for mayor of Springville and lost to Mayor Hal Wing. “I lost to a good and great man,” he said.
In 1999, then Springville City Judge Bill Duncan passed away. Mayor Wing and the city council appointed Mr. Olsen as the new City Judge and he functioned in this capacity for over eight years. He was a man who labored with the youth defendants to try and turn their lives around. One young man youth kept returning to court because of his drug addiction. He tried to bring about change and counsel with him, but the youth continued to do drugs and reappear in his court. The young man finally decided to listen to Mr. Olsen, and now he is getting a PhD for a career at NASA. During a recent lunch, this young man confessed his “turn around” primarily came about because he was tired of being remanded to jail!” It was refreshing to observe positive change can be achieved; unfortunately, there were also failures.
He won the City Councilman position in 2008 and is now serving his second term. Mayor Gene Mangum appointed him as representative to the Utah Lake Commission Governing Board in 2008. He feels the Commission is important because it exists at a critical juncture. The Lake is a beautiful and precious body of water and is desperately in need of a “face lift!” Utah Lake Commission members, county commissioners, county, state personnel, and financial assistance from cities bordering the lake are dramatically changing the perception and appearance of the lake.
He feels Mr. Reed Price, as Executive Director, is doing an exceptional job leading the charge assisted by his capable executive assistant, Carin Green. “He is an unabated conduit promoting the lake and providing information to our local schools. He is articulate, and presents the goals and achievements of the Commission to the members of the municipalities and county.”
Mr. Olsen is a member of the Executive Committee. “I am grateful for the opportunity to know, learn, and associate with board and executive committee members comprised of mayors, council members, and state personnel — all of whom possess considerable depth, effective, realistic reasoning and are able to extract practical solutions to the issues germane to Utah Lake, “ he said.
Springville City donated the popcorn stand at the Utah Lake Festival held each year on the first Saturday of June. He volunteered to staff the stand, and now his children and grandchildren join him and donate their time. In addition, he and his family like to picnic at the lake and walk along the trails.
He has said, “I am humbly honored, and beholden, to serve the citizens of Springville as a member of the Springville City Council. I will do my very best to fulfill the duties and responsibilities in this capacity.” And, as he performs his duties and responsibilities for the citizens of Springville, he has treated his position on the Utah Lake Commission in the same manner.
About Councilman Dean F. Olsen:
For Springville, his responsibilities including several commissions and boards The Board of Adjustment, Hardship Committee, Power Advisory Board as an alternate, Springville Arts Commission, Springville/Spanish Fork Airport Board, and Wage/Personnel Committee. He also is a member of the Art City Substance Abuse Prevention Committee (ASAP) and Senior Citizens Committee. He is a representative on the Daughters of Utah Pioneers/Sons of the Utah Pioneers, Folkfest Board, South Valley Animal Special Services District, and the Utah Lake Commission.
However, nothing is more important to Mr. Olsen than his family. He met his wife named Rosalie Moser shortly after university graduation. She was employed at Beneficial Life where he obtained his first job. “She always had a good attitude, was very polite, but business-like,” he said. In order to get to know her “much better,” he had observed her use of numerous paper clips, which hampered extraction of information form file cabinets. One day he factitiously asked her if it were possible for her to use fewer clips! This opened up a discussion that led to a courtship and a date to a movie. They were engaged in July 1960, and in September of the same year, they were married. Their marriage is a continual courtship and love affair.
They have had five children, two sons, and three daughters: LeeAnn, Julie, Scott, Alesa, and David (who passed away). They have seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. As a family, they love to travel.
Photos Courtesy Chad Landress (featured picture of Hobble Creek Restoration Project leading into Utah Lake) and Springville City.
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