Olive Watts

“I often wonder why I have been so blessed in my life. I was born to the most remarkable parents and raised in a home full of love and fun. I was born on December 13, 1928 and grew up in the little town of Redmond, Utah.

I had a wonderful family. I learned the value of hard work and was taught it was a privilege to be self-sufficient. My parents taught me to be strong, independent, unwavering in my faith, and to have principles and integrity. I grew up on a farm and loved riding horses. I shared a deep loyalty with my siblings. We were taught to love and take care of each other, and that has lasted a lifetime.

At a time when it was not common for women to attend college, my parents instilled in each of their children the importance of being educated. The love of education has been passed down through my family for six generations. I began college fall quarter of 1947 at Utah State University. I loved my four years at Utah State University. I had an instructor who suggested I might explore elementary education, and I followed her advice, not knowing it would be one of the greatest blessings in my life. I went on to earn a master’s degree in education from the University of Utah.

I met Ivan Watts at an institute dance in Logan, where there were five men for every woman, because WWII had just ended, and the soldiers were coming home. At the door to the dance, they gave each man a broom. If a man wanted to dance with a woman, he had to trade a broom for her. That’s how I met Ivan: he traded a broom for me! And then he traded the broom again. And again. And again. And we danced through the night.

Ivan and I married in the Manti Latter-day Saint temple on January 2, 1952. Our honeymoon was spent in Seattle, where Ivan would board a ship that would take him to Korea for two years. I returned to Redmond while Ivan was in Korea and began my teaching career in Salina. Upon Ivan’s return, we moved to Filmore, and Nephi, and Murray, where we would raise our family. I taught third grade in the Murray School District for thirty years. I followed my school children as they grew into adulthood. My students will always hold a tender place in my heart.

I was active in many clubs and organizations: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), Murray Women’s Civic Guild, the Emerald Book Club, and many teaching organizations. I also served in many callings within the church, but I cherished my time as a primary teacher and temple worker in the Jordan River Temple.

I loved creating for my family. I loved working with porcelain and ceramic; I loved to sew and quilt. I loved beautiful table settings and creating a home where my family could gather. I loved cooking dinner for my family. Sundays were the most perfect day for me. I cooked Sunday dinner every Sunday for forty years. My house was always filled with the people I love most—my kids, my grands, and my greats.

There are no words to describe the love I felt when holding my babies for the first time. That love has grown stronger every day. My children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are the most important part of my whole life. They are my heart and my soul. They are my joy. I have a testimony of the gospel and believe in it with all of my being. Without a doubt, I know we will be together as a family.”

In spite of a body that had been well-used and worn, Olive spent her last morning entertaining and taking care of others. She slipped into sleep and then death on the afternoon of May 8, 2024 at her home. As her family, we are heartbroken and have been questioning how we will continue to do life without her. Her home is where we felt most loved. When we wanted to celebrate, we went to Grandma’s. When we were devastated, we went to Grandma’s. When we needed to feel believed in, we went to Grandma’s. When we wanted to be seen, we went to Grandma’s. You could never stop by Grandma’s house without seeing another family member—it’s just the way it was. Grandma showed up in our lives—literally, physically—every day and in every way. She saw us and knew us, even when we didn’t know ourselves. She was a stable presence and a comfort, quietly navigating and steering our family with her sharp mind and soft heart until her very last minutes.

Olive is survived by three children, Jim Watts; Thrella (Alex) Walk; and Maurice (Jan Watts); six grandchildren, Kimberly (Josh) Elliot, Jarica (Clint) Warner, Alexis (Aaron) Gerszewski, Luke Walk, Landon (Bekah) Watts, and Raquel Watts; six great-grandchildren, Case, Cohen, Saylor, Bauer, Olivia, and a new little one to come; in-laws, ReVon Udy, Raymon Watts, and Doug Watts; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband Ivan J. Watts and son Bryan H. Watts.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 15th at 12:00 PM, with a visitation from 10:30–11:30 AM prior to the service, 6410 S 725 E Murray, Utah 84107. A visitation will be held Tuesday, May 14th from 6:00–8:00 PM, Jenkins Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S State Street, Murray, Utah 84107. Internment at Murray City Cemetery, 5490 S Vine Street, Murray, Utah 84107.