Rodney D. "Rod" Olsen
June 17, 1948 ~ November 30, 2016
Rodney D. Olsen, 68, of Emmett, ID passed away at home on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. Rod was born on June 17, 1948 in Ontario, OR to Pete and Viola (Sullivan) Olsen. He grew up and attended school in New Plymouth, ID and attended Treasure Valley Community College. Rod served his country in the US Navy. Rod married Frankie Lynn Kraipowich on November 6, 1971 in Boise. They moved to Emmett in 1972. Rod is survived by his wife Frankie; daughter Michele Olsen of Caldwell; five sisters: JoAnn (Dennis) Shaul of Eagle, Kara Jean Stitz of Wisconsin, Janet Cooper of Nampa, Linda Krosch of Nampa, and Colleen Olsen of Caldwell, and many nieces and nephews. Rod was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Viola Olsen, and a sixth sister, Darlene Olsen. Rod was a loving man with a heart of gold and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his wife and daughter. He could get gruff and grumpy at times, but then he would turn around and give you the shirt off his back. He loved cooking for family and friends and could throw together a party in an instant. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but more than that it was the time he got to spend with his best friends. Building things was not only his trade, but his passion. He was a talented craftsman and built items from roll top desks to barn wood mirrors and towel bars to Texas longhorn steer head center pieces. Rod was also involved with the Snake River Stampeders Night Light Drill Team as their light man from 1997 to 2006. He was in charge of getting and keeping the Stampeder girls' lights working at the Snake River Stampede Rodeo in July and at the Cultural Olympiad in 2002 in Salt Lake City. He was a very hard worker throughout his life. He worked for the Ewing Company, Trust Joist Corporation, and NCR before starting his own business (Rodney Olsen Construction) as a licensed commercial and residential builder. He built the Gem County fire station, a dentist office complex in McCall, and several residential houses around the area. A Celebration of Life for Rod will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at his and Frankie's home from 1 until 5 pm. Arrangements were made through Potter Funeral Chapel of Emmett.



Published in Idaho Statesman on Dec. 7, 2016