Pete Clarence Olsen, 93, passed away at the Skagit Valley Hospital on Saturday, June 11, 2005. He had a long and rewarding life and enjoyed the respect, friendship and love of family and friends.
Pete was born March 10, 1912 on a small farm east of Sedro-Woolley on the Burmaster Road. He attended Utopia Grade School and graduated in 1927. He attended Sedro-Woolley High School, lettering in football and graduated in 1931. He then went to Wilson Modern Business College in Seattle and graduated in 1933.
During the depression in 1934 and 1935 he worked as a farm hand for Art Wersen near Burlington, Washington. He then went to Eastern Washington and worked on the Grande Coulee Dam in 1936 and 1937. Returning from Eastern Washington he went to work for Bean Hardware and Mt. Baker Hardware as a Plumber from 1937 through 1940. On July 16, 1938 he married Catherine Fagan. They had their first child, Sharon, on December 1, 1939. In March 1940, he was hired by Skagit Steel and Iron Works. He worked up from a shipping clerk to being in charge of the Personnel Department. He took over the operations of the family farm on the Burmaster Road in March of 1944, because of his Fathers failing health,. They had their second child, John, on July 23, 1944. He farmed until 1964. In 1957 the Olsen family was named the first Washington State Dairy Family of the Year.
In 1964 he rented out the farm and moved to Claybrook Road in Sedro-Woolley. He then did some house building, handyman carpenter work and spent many hours on the river fishing for fun and also as a Steelhead River Guide. In 1964 he was appointed as a PUD Commissioner and served on the board until 1980.
His wife of forty-nine years, Catherine Olsen, passed away on October 22, 1987. He married Helen Heitman Carpenter on November 19, 1988.
His hobbies included fishing and carpenter work, traveling with the travel trailer and staying at a cabin on Lake Concunelly. He traveled to China, Russia, Europe, Mexico and had cruised the Panama Canal. He enjoyed going to the bakery and having coffee with friends.
Pete is survived by his two children; Sharon Beach of Burlington, WA and John Olsen and his wife, Dianne of Anacortes, WA and three grandchildren, Lisa Beach and Carly and Casey Olsen. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Frank Beach.
He is also survived by his wife, Helen of Sedro-Woolley; her three children: Rodger Carpenter and his wife, Linda of Pryor, OK, Buzzy Carpenter and his wife, Audrey of Cody, WY, and Julie Carpenter of Tulsa, OK. 5 grandchildren Cody Carpenter, Jolynn Gibson, Mika and Jason Thomas, and Trinity Wright and 5 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2005 at 2:00 PM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Walt Rice officiating. The family suggests memorials to either the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1006 Wicker Rd, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 or the Sedro-Woolley High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 509, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284.
Cremation and services under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Pete and sign our on-line guest register at www.lemleychapel.com.