Mary Jo Olsen

Mary Jo Olsen passed away peacefully September 18th surrounded by loved ones. Mary Jo was born on July 13th, 1954 to Mayo and Mary Rich. Mary Jo grew up at the Bryce Canyon Pines near Bryce Canyon National Park. She spent her childhood helping out wherever she could, whether it was cleaning hotel rooms or helping out at the restaurant. The pines is where she developed a love for horses and all other animals. Mary Jo was an incredible Horseman with a gentle hand and nature.

Mary Jo had one heck of a Rodeo career. She competed in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying and Queening, representing Bryce Valley High School. Mary Jo made the Utah State Highschool Finals three of her four years. Her senior year she placed 2nd in Breakaway Roping at State securing her spot for the High School National Finals in Denver, Colorado. She placed 10th in the nation in Breakaway Roping there.

Mary Jo's Rodeo career did not end there. She continued on to Dixie State University, joining their rodeo team. She spent two years there. In 1975, Mary Jo attended Meredith Manor. An elite equestrian college in West Virginia. She learned the arts of English riding along with continuing her knowledge and ability in the western world or riding. Later she would attend college at Southern Utah State College which is now known as SUU. Mary Jo married Blake Gillies and moved to Beaver where she would raise five children while working as a secretary for Security Title Company. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints and loved to serve in her numerous positions in the Primary and Relief Society.

Later in life Mary Jo met Chad Olsen. They quickly developed a relationship and were married on December 18th 2007 and were later sealed in the St. George Temple on December 6th 2013. On Saturdays you would find Mary Jo and Chad at the yard sales happening in town.

Mary Jo was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over thirty years ago. This awful disease would slowly rob her of the use of her body. Even with her body slowly starting to fail her, Mary Jo never once complained. She never said why me? Mary Jo pushed through every day with a positive attitude. She always cheered on her grandchildren whether it was from the side line or watching on her tablet.

In January of 2020, the difficult decision was made to place her in Long Term Care. She was determined from day one that she was not staying there. As the years passed her body continued to deteriorate. People would often see Chad zipping across main street on the Great Balls of Fire scooter to go see Mary Jo. Chad diligently saw Mary Jo daily. It was rare if he missed a day. Mary Jo lived an incredible life. She had such a strong faith and love her for lord and savior. She will be greatly missed by so many.

Mary Jo is preceded in death by her mother and father. Her husband Chad. She is survived by her children Cody (April), Travis (Autum), Crystal (Dallen), Colt (Tanya), and Jessica. Mary Jo had many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

On behalf of Mary Jo's family, we would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to everyone at Beaver Valley Long Term Care. You all are truly amazing people. Thank you so much for loving our mom. We would also like to thank Dr. Rhett Smith for his many years of care he provided.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Beaver 2nd Ward Church (15 N 100 W, Beaver, UT 84713). Viewings will be held Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Southern Utah Mortuary (195 N 200 W, Beaver, UT) and Friday, September 25, 2026 from 9:00-10:30 am at the Beaver 2nd Ward Church. Interment will be held at the Mountain View Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be shared and a live stream of the funeral viewed by visiting www.mortuary.org.