Russell A Olsen

After a six year courageous and victorious battle with pancreatic and liver cancer, Russ was called home to be with his Lord and Saviour on September 9, 2013 at the age of 52. Russ was born to Howard and Gladys Olsen on December 2, 1960 in Yuma, Colorado. many Yumans will remember what a miracle he was to this union. He graduated high from Yuma High School in 1979. Russ was voted, “Most likely to Succeed”, his senior year and succeed he did, in many ways.

He married his high school sweetheart, Keree Hall, on December 17, 1980. They were blessed with two children, son, Soren Christian Olsen, 1988 and daughter, Maren Katrine Olsen, 1989.

He graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983. He actually wrote his own degree through the Independent Studies Program. Russ was sought to write programs for a graduate class in entomology and to help with PhD thesis for a student.

After graduation, he moved to Aurora, Colorado with Keree to begin his professional career with Johns Manville as a Computer Systems Analyst. Russ was later employed by MCI Telecommunications as a Programmer and then Wang Laboratories as a Senior Analyst covering six states. He then founded Premier Systems Unlimited, Inc. in 1989. Russ held contracts with the State of Colorado, the State of Utah and U.S. West Communications.

In 1994, the family moved to Wray, Colorado. Russ continued with his contracts driving back to Denver during the week for the next two years. As the contracts were ending he was considering what the next direction should be. Russ decided to put a survey in both the Yuma Pioneer and Wray Gazette newspapers to see if folks felt that providing an e-mail and Internet access would be beneficial for businesses and personal use. He also received only 10 surveys back from potentially interested folk. He also told Keree this may only be a part-time job. The family joke was, when did the part-time part start?

Most know Premier Systems Unlimited, Inc., as plains.net. At one time the business provided services to Yuma, Washington, Kit Carson, Lincoln and Logan Counties.

Russ was an avid hunter, sailor and fisherman; a friend to many and a stranger to few. He was mostly proud of his children’s accomplishments.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Gladys. In addition to his wife, Keree, he is survived by his son, Soren (Laura) Olsen and daughter, Maren Olsen; grandchild, Alina Jensine Olsen (Lil Spud). He is also survived by his sister, Jeanne Lewis of Scottsdale, AZ, brother, Roger (Candy) Olsen of Arvada, CO, father-in-law, Bruce Hall of Yuma, CO and sister-in-law, Liesa (Everett) Johnson of Thornton, CO, Aunt Edith Robertson of Yuma, CO and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral services was held Thursday, September 12, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at the New Life Christian Center in Eckley, Colorado with Pastor Glen Kline officiating. Private Family Interment was held in the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado. Memorials may be given to Hospice of the Plains, or to the Wray or Yuma Fire Departments for Fire Works. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.