Shirlee Ann Betts Olmsted Thompson

Shirlee Ann Betts Olmsted Thompson passed away peacefully on January 10, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by her family.  She was born as an only child to Thelma Hutchins and Chester Betts June 12, 1933, in Portland, Oregon. Thelma later married Aaron Franklin Olmsted and he legally adopted Shirlee. She was sealed to them both in 1977. She was raised in Longview, Washington.  After graduating from High School, she left Washington to attend Brigham Young University and lived the rest of her life in Utah. She loved the mountains but always had a special place in her heart for the Pacific Northwest Coast. She met Shefford H Thompson through mutual friends on a blind date. They were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple August 12, 1954.  They raised 4 children and have been blessed with 25 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Shirlee's life revolved around being a homemaker and caring for her husband and children. They always knew they were her first priority. She was an excellent housekeeper and she enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, and oil painting. For many years she worked tirelessly on family history and genealogy until her arthritis-crippled fingers could no longer type easily. Probably her most favorite activity was sitting around the table with family, laughing and playing games. Camping and hunting would never have been her first choice for vacations, but she was a real trooper through all her years with Shefford doing just that. She probably had a good idea what she was in for when he gave her a shotgun for a wedding present and took her to Yellowstone on their honeymoon.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings throughout her life.  Her husband passed away in 2011. She will be missed by her daughters, Linda (Michael) Murray, Kathy (Brent) Adams, Dianne (Ham) Omana; and son, Eric (Jenni)Thompson.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Canyon Rim Stake Center, 3051 South 2900 East.  Friends and family can visit Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service.  Interment Elysian Burial Gardens. Messages and tributes to the family can be posted at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com