The Life History of David Wayne Olsen

David Wayne Olsen’s life story reflects a journey of faith, family, and service.

Before being born in this life, I lived in a premortal world. Premortal life refers to a time when humans existed as spirit children of God, during which they learned and prepared for their future. This life is characterized by individuality, agency, intelligence, and the opportunity for eternal progression. It is a central doctrine in the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [to which I am a member], providing understanding of the age-old question, "Whence cometh man?"

After my preexistence, I was born into this life on a crisp October day in 1956 into a world filled with simple, wholesome joys. It was a choice, I believe, called agency. My childhood memories glow with nostalgia: the gentle sway of a pony’s gait beneath me, the exhilarating rush of a sled down a snowy hill, and the quiet satisfaction of a well-read book.

My first memory of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was standing out front of the old Iona church building before or after primary, talking to Blair and Brad Simons, friends of mine. An incredibly meaningful relationship with my Grandma Alvey, especially after many years, reinforced the statement that someday I would serve a mission for the church. I have the wonderful memory of having Stan Boyle Sr. as my Iona 1st Ward Sunday School Teacher. My dad, Lacel Wayne Olsen, baptized me. I don't remember my confirmation well. My Dad set me apart to every office in the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods - namely, to be a Deacon, Teacher, Priest, Elder, and High Priest. I have a marvelous memory as a priest of the numerous times I had the grand privilege of blessing the sacrament, the bread, and water. I cherish knowing Erwin E. Wirkus, my stake president. I love the occasion when, at 18 years old, Carl F. Day, Iona Stake Patriarch, bestowed my patriarchal blessing upon me. I cherish my memory of being set apart by Dudley J. Tucker, my stake president, to serve for two years as a full-time, official missionary in the Adelaide, Australia Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of the choicest people I worked with during my mission were Judith and Michael Doyle and Claude Carich, all of whom were baptized and confirmed members of the church. I had the privilege of teaching people whose names I do not recall, and other missionaries shared additional teachings about Jesus Christ and His teachings with them. In 1978, I returned to Los Angeles first and met my parents, a brother, and a sister. Then we traveled to Anaheim, and we went to Disneyland, which was grand. After that, we took a long trek home to Iona, Idaho. Fast-forwarding to a short period, my next choice was to go to Rexburg, Idaho, and attend Ricks College, which I loved.

Backtracking more, growing up in Iona, Idaho, as a young lad, I remember many things. In this childhood memory, I faced a humorous choice. The Wilde family lived across the street from us, the Olsen family. The Wildes had a large pasture next to their home. Gary had a Jeep motor vehicle. During the winter, he would drive his vehicle and spin it in circular donuts. Our mother knew about this, but she warned us not to ride with Gary in his Jeep in the slick Wilde pasture. My brother and I never did.

Another story happened when I was a teenager: my family had a little girl dog named Bitsy. My story is short, and it involves Bitsy and me. One day, I was holding Bitsy in my arms, and I started blowing with all the breath I could muster into her face. Well, she didn't like that, so she instantly jumped up, and she sank her teeth into the columella, which is part of the nose. So, I immediately screamed, and I pulled her out of my nose and away from me. Afterward, I was still in pain, and I learned a big lesson to never mess with Bitsy again, which I didn't.

These little humorous and real-life stories bring a chuckle to my heart. Conversely, diligence came naturally to me, and my name often appeared on honor rolls, reflecting a curious mind that always sought to understand—this quest for understanding guided my path through higher education. I attended Ricks College, Idaho State University, and the Eastern Idaho Vocational Technical School, acquiring not only degrees but also valuable tools I intended to use to build a life of service.

My faith is the cornerstone of my life. My parents, Lacel Wayne and Yvonne Olsen, and my Grandparents, Alfred Lional and Sarah Alvey, showed me unconditional love throughout their time on earth. My Grandma Alvey always taught me, since I was a small boy, that I would go on a mission someday. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I committed to serving a full-time mission in 1976, which took me far from the familiar mountains of Idaho to the sun-drenched shores of Adelaide, Australia. This experience left a lasting impression on my soul, shaping a lifelong pattern of devotion. In the years that followed, I quietly and faithfully accepted various calls within my congregation, with my service remaining steady and consistent.

I became interested in going back to college in 1992. At the time, my wife, children, and I lived in our house located on John Adams Parkway in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The last time I attended college was in 1975 at Ricks College, where I majored in business and enjoyed it. My plan in 1992 was to return to Ricks College and major in general education, earning an associate's degree, so I could attend Idaho State University with my wife, Jaylene, after graduating from Ricks and earn my bachelor's degree. So, I followed my plan, including buying a small AMC car, and I drove it to Rexburg, Idaho, where Ricks College is located. I attended and completed the courses required to obtain an associate's degree, as I have described, so it was done. I graduated from Ricks College in 1993, and my wife and I began attending school at Idaho State University (ISU) in Pocatello, Idaho, that fall. My major was Elementary Education, and my wife's major was Social Work. In addition, Kelly, Jaylene's cousin, attended ISU at the same time we did. Fast-forwarding, all three of us began going to lunch nearly every day at a place we enjoyed called Bambo Gardens in Pocatello. A trip to Bamboo Gardens, an all-you-can-eat dinner, became a regular daily activity for lunch. We enjoyed it. Lastly, I graduated in 1995, and Jaylene graduated a semester later.

Professionally, my work was a direct extension of my compassionate heart. I served as a custodial supervisor, taking pride in creating order and cleanliness. However, my true calling was found in my roles as a special education aide for teenagers and a developmental aide for adults with developmental delays. In these roles, my patience was boundless, and my encouragement unwavering. I didn’t just see a disability; I saw a person, and I dedicated myself to helping them unlock their potential, one small, hard-won victory at a time.

My story continues with the ultimate love story, which begins with how my wife, Jaylene, and our son, Michael, inspired me to write the book Hair and Golden Horseshoe."
Right now, I am adding memories to my life story, "The Life History of David Wayne Olsen,” this memoir. There is only our son, Michael, for whom I wrote a memorial book about his life. But the time has come for me to add Jaylene's life story to my life history. This life scene begins in 1980, the year I met her, and we married. The scene immediately shifts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Institute trailer in Idaho Falls, next to the Eastern Idaho Vocational School (EIVTS) building. In addition to attending EIVTS daily during the week, I was an institute student who attended weekly. The first fact was that I met Garla Clinger, who is Jaylene's cousin. There were no real sparks between Garla and me. So, it was then that Garla told me she had a cousin I might like. Then it came to pass, at the institute building, when I was there, I saw a beautiful woman. Furthermore, we met when she was twenty-one, and I was twenty-three. She told me she lived near Shelley, Idaho, and mentioned she had graduated from Shelley High School. Later, we went on our first date to a high school football game in Idaho Falls at Bonneville High School, where I graduated in 1975. It was cold while we were at the football game, but as a naïve young man, I wouldn’t hold her hand. That is a mean attitude, huh? Moreover, she got over it. I drove my 1956 Plymouth Fury to her house several times and met with her many times. It was on one of these occasions, late in the evening, that my dad called her father and told him to relay to me the message that I was to come as soon as possible, and I did go home. Then, after two weeks, we were sitting on her couch when I asked her to marry me, and she said yes. Fast-forwarding, we were married in the Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS Temple on February 22, 1980.

Jaylene’s life went too quickly, wherefore my queen went to heaven on March 12, 1999, at the age of 40. I have a large photograph of her in my bedroom, which gives me hope and faith that I will be with her someday. My family is my greatest joy and my deepest heartache. I built a life with my beloved wife, Jaylene Clinger, and together we raised three children: Rebecca, Michael, and Alicia. The home we created was filled with echoes of laughter, the strength of faith, and the gentle hum of everyday love. When Jaylene passed away, a profound silence settled where her presence had been. I carried that silence with me—a gentle sorrow woven into the fabric of my being—even as I continued to be an anchor for my children.
It seems appropriate to begin writing this section on New Year's Day, 2026. One day, five years ago, two ladies moved me and my belongings to a new place to live called Turtle and Crane assisted living center. I had been living in a behavioral health center, and while there, my mind was confused about what my entire existence meant. Then, over the next five years, while I lived at Turtle and Crane, I regained my purpose in life, which I had once been happy with. First, my happiness is much more than thinking and/or saying, "I am happy." Secondly, what is my joy, yours, or any other people's then? Now, who is my happiness besides me (yours)? I have two lovely daughters, a bunch of grandchildren, my wife is in heaven, my son and my parents are there, and other loved ones are there. I am here on Earth, obviously. What do I do? I write a little here, I read some, including the Holy Scriptures, I pray some, and I spend time with my family and my friends. I have mentioned them as well. This is pretty much it for now.
Now I share my story of “Three Days in Heaven” with my family and friends. A short time after my eternal mate, Jaylene, died, I met and married Maxine Millard in a civil marriage. In addition, I had a beautiful experience in my current life that I had never had before. The story goes like this: My eyes were open, and I immediately could tell that I was in a hospital room. My family was there with me, including my mother and father. However, a picture of Jesus in my bedroom was on my heart and mind. Furthermore, I exclaimed to them, “I have just seen Jesus.” After saying this, my mind and heart turned to the question, “Why am I here?” Additionally, my whole soul felt like I had just returned to consciousness, a time of peace. However, my doctor, John Liljenquist, told me that I had just woken up from a coma from an extremely high blood sugar reading of 1248. He also told me that with such an unbelievably high reading, I should have died. In addition, a sacred source told me there would be a time in my life when my life would be spared. So, it’s a miracle that I lived to tell you this story, and what Jesus did for me.
My story is not one of dramatic conquests or loud achievements. It is a story of quiet dedication—to faith, service, the dignity of every human being, and the family I love. It is a life measured not by milestones but by countless unheralded moments of kindness, duty, and steadfast love—a life well lived in every sense of the word.