Obituary
With deepest sorrow, we announce Justin Peter Olsen, age 41, our beloved son, brother, father, family member and friend passed away suddenly in the early morning of December 25, 2020.
Justin was born November 28, 1979, in Wheatridge, Colorado. He graduated from Blue Springs South High School in 1998 and attended college at Missouri State University. Justin was an amazing artist and musician. He never missed a good concert and always felt at home in the mountains. He had a smile that would light up a room and a simply contagious laugh.
Justin was a skilled craftsman and masterful home builder. He had an eye for detail, and the talent and passion to make any project or home special. Justin could easily make something from nothing and turn nothing into something inspiring.
Justin’s love for his son certainly outshone any physical talents he had. He was a proud father and loved his son with all of his heart.
We know that Justin is now with his grandparents and other beloved past family members and is loved here on earth as well as in heaven.
Justin will be missed every single day by his parents, David and Monika Olsen of Lee’s Summit; his brother Josh Olsen and wife Sarah of Portland, OR; and the joy and light of his life, his 4-year-old son, Jace. He also leaves behind loving aunts, uncles, cousins and many great friends.
Justin had so much goodness, so much capacity to bring happiness to others and so much love. The world is a lesser place without him.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. One thing we know beyond a doubt about Justin is his desire to love, care and provide for his son, Jace, and his wish would certainly be to continue to do so. If you are able, in lieu of flowers or other comforts, please consider a monetary donation to an account set up strictly to care for Jace’s future needs. A check can be written to Jace Olsen and mailed to Angela Keller at 3829 SW Evergreen Ln., Lee’s Summit, MO 64082 or any Commerce Bank c/o Angela Keller. Thank you for your love, help & continued prayers.
I need to write this like I am talking to you Justin,…I feel such sadness and shock.
I feel like our happy times together were some of the happiest of both of our lives. You meant so much to me, you gave our families a beautiful boy. Your heart and soul are at peace in heaven and I promise with all my heart to take care of Jace. I will tell him about your creativity, love of music, guitar playing, artistic talents, and of course how much you loved him. I promise. We love you and miss your passionate heart. Please know I loved you and wish… so, so much… All our love to you, Justin-
Angela and Jace
I found this on his Facebook page. ❤️ ?
And of course he loves his Oreos.
▪️Favorite smell – a fresh cut piece of cedar
▪️Favorite foot attire – my DUDE shoes
▪️Favorite food – Popeyes
▪️Favorite cereal – Lucky Charms
▪️Jeans or shorts – shorts
▪️Favorite Condiment – ranch
▪️Beach or Mountain – mountain
▪️Favorite day of week – Friday
▪️Favorite Holiday – Christmas
▪️Tattoos – 50+
▪️Cook or bake -cook
▪️Favorite color – blue
▪️Do you wear glasses- At night only
▪️Favorite season- The moment you can feel Fall become Fall
▪️Beer or wine – Neither
▪️Favorite drink – Monster Hydro Tropical Thunder
▪️Pets – My little 2 remaining cats
▪️Children – 3
▪️Dream place to live -Right around here with some land and a pond, and a barn, with an Acadian style home, wrap around porch. And a mountain home
▪️Favorite fruit – ripe crisp green grapes. Or a cold orange cut up into slices
Justin I love you buddy. You will be missed by so many. Your heart was big and full of love and care. Anytime we went anywhere you always had everyone laughing and having fun and always left a great impression. Rest In Peace my friend. Till we meet again.
You will be missed by so many! Your sweet heart and smile and what I remember the most is how your parents love you so much. You brought happiness to me every post I saw when you had your son with you-the love oozed from you to him-he looks just like you and is a blessing for your parents to always have a piece of you with them! Rest in peace.
We loved you and will miss you. Show your smile and lovely personality to all. Dance,Sing you play that guitar. Milton and me will pray for your family and kids. RIP PEACE JUSTIN. ?❤?
Olsen. I hate writing this because you should still be here! Words can not describe how much you will be missed and how much ill miss you myself. You lit up the room wherever you were and made people laugh! We had a lot of good times together growing up. We’ve been through hard times together and will miss our conversations about life, music, and wanting kids, etc. And the love you had for Jace made me so happy for you! Know that he loves you and you will see him again one day! I love you very much my friend. Miss you always. Rest easy my old friend.
Sending my love to the Olsen family. I’m devastated for the loss of such a bright star. Justin was kind, loving, and had charisma for days. Love you brother, see you on the other side.
Olsen, you’re a great friend with the biggest heart. He would take the shirt off his back without hesitation. You lit up every room you walked in and just made everyone laugh and smile. People always remember Olsen. We’ve known each other for a very long time growing up and have had long nights with great conversations. Talking about music, life, our struggles. I’m going to miss those nights. You know that Jace loved you so much and the love you had for Jace was incredible. He brought you so much joy in your life. That will never be forgotten. You will be truly missed by many. Ill miss you. I love you man! Rest easy my friend..
I still cannot believe this. My world has been rocked and my heart is in pieces. Justin I love you so much and will miss you. My biggest regret is living so far and not keeping in toucn enough. Now I will never get that chance again. I wanted so badly for our children to meet and play together. I hope they will still someday. I will make sure to keep an eye on your little man. I know that you are in a better place and you will be watching over us. Heaven definitely gained a special angel. Say hello to grandma Lilo and grandpa Gene for me and Grandpa Stille. I love you man, always will and Ill never forget you cousin.
Love
Patrick
Dear Monika and Family,
I am so very sorry to learn of the passing of your son. Your family was so special in helping my Mom, Elsie, find her favorite home which she shared with your Dad, Hans. I wish you comfort in good memories and peace in knowing Justin is in a heavenly home and loved by so many.
Justin, 1st of all I feel the loss of a “true” friend, my heart is broken. Yes, we had our up’s and down’s during our 20 year friendship but there were more good times than bad. When we first met at Eagle Creek Subdivision where your father was my favorite builder, it was an instant friendship! When you walked into the model home office door I knew you were special. You told me how your Dad or “Pops” as you called him taught you every aspect of new home building. You didn’t rise to the top position in your Dad’s company immediately, “Pops” made you started at the bottom and work your way up, like he did with his Dad. You did the manual labor from working with the crew digging the basement and pouring the foundation work to construction cleaning. With these challenges accomplished “Pops” moved you on to the intricate details of home building (or how to build a house from the ground up) your brother Josh is a talented Architect, your Mom a Real Estate Agent, so New Home Building was all in the Olsen Family. With the meager jobs accomplished you become “Pops” Supervisor. In the position of Supervisor for D.C. Olsen Homes it meant working closely with me as the Lead Real Estate Agent on the new homes project and the Buyer’s. This is when I saw a very talented, energetic, polite, funny and happy young man. You had a way with people that they just wanted to be around you. I never saw you frown or sad, you took your blows and moved on the best way you knew how. I know there were many times your soul was troubled but you did not let me see or know. I looked at you as another son in my family. I spoke highly of you and your skills I witnessed. That was 20 years ago and we both moved on. We kept in touch. You called and we chatted, you text me and I laughed. When it came time for my sister to have her “terrible 1980’s” house remodeled I thought of no one else. It was difficult but turned out beautiful! Then my daughter Kali needed her townhome basement finish, she thought of no one but you for the job, it turned out beautiful! Then my son, Andrew needed a complete bathroom remodel, again we thought of no one else, it turned out perfect! In between all this remodeling for our family you would bid other remodeling jobs and I was your go to reference. You would call or text me and say “Hey, Kaye I just bid a job and gave you as a reference, “put in a good word for me” OK-like I wouldn’t. I was at your wedding and thought now you are on the right path with Angela and her girls who you loved dearly and as your own, a family. Your Mom and Dad who thought the sun rose and set on you, I could just see how very proud they were of you in their eyes when they spoke of you, even through the bad times, they loved you so much. I knew you would be ok. Then in the last few years we lost touch, it was difficult, I really did not understand the burden you were carrying. I knew you were troubled and just needed to work through life. “Pops” told me you needed to work things out on your on “Tough Love” for him and your Mom. I missed your beaming smile, your calls and texts. The times we met for Happy Hour, Buffalo Wings beer and laughs. How I wish life would not throw us these curve balls! Your spirit will live through your Parents, Josh and Jace. Jace will see all the amazing fun pictures of you, hear all the wonderful things you accomplished in life and most of all you will never be forgotten! Jace looks so much like you, he will be proud you were his Daddy. I will never forget the young man who walked into my office over 20 years ago, stole my heart and the friendship we had. Friendship like ours does not happen very often in this life, but I am so glad it did. With all my love, I know your shining spirit will always be with your Mom, Dad, Josh and Jace, there will always be reminder’s of the good person you were in this troubled world, you spread “glitter” all over our lives and bits and pieces will always remain around us where ever we are. There is a song by Brad Paisley that I chose for my Mom’s funeral, now that song will remind me of you also.
When I get where I’m going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I’m gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly
I’m gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it’s like
To ride a drop of rain
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
There’ll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I’ll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
Don’t cry for me down here
I’m gonna walk with my grandaddy (you loved your grandaddy)!
And he’ll match me step for step
And I’ll tell him how I missed him
Every minute since he left
And then I’ll hug his neck
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
There’ll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I’ll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
Don’t cry for me down here
So much pain and so much darkness
In this world we stumble through
All these questions I can’t answer
So much work to do
But when I get where I’m going
And I see my Maker’s face
I’ll stand forever in the light
Of His amazing grace
Yeah when I get where I’m going
Oh when I get where I’m going
There’ll be only happy tears
Hallelujah
I will love and have no fear
When I get where I’m going
Yeah, when I get where I’m going
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: George Teren / Rivers Rutherford
When I Get Where I’m Going lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Words & Music A Div Of Big Deal Music LLC
I am broken Justin. I can’t come to terms with the fact that you’re gone. I will forever cherish the years we spent together as a family and the memories and adventures we shared. You were one in a trillion, JPO. Your smile was as contagious as your laughter. You were the life of the party and everyone was drawn to you. Whether it was singing your heart out, strumming the guitar or masterfully crafting something out of nothing, your whole heart was in it. Every time I saw you, your face would beam while you talked about Jace and shared his pictures. He is your mini and I am sure when he is older, his heart will replicate yours. I know in my heart you have found the peace you were always searching for. Rest easy JPO. I will see you again one day! Until then, I’ll miss you! XOXO
Dave, Monika and Josh – I am so very sorry for your loss. Words can’t take your sorrow away but know there are so many surrounding you in prayer. Thank you for sharing your Justin with us. He touched so many lives in his short time here. He was loved by many and we share in your grief. Hugs and love to you all!
My sincere & deepest sympathy are sent to all of the Olson family especially Dave & Monica. Justin was a wonderful young man & always a pleasure to work with. We had plenty of laughs. I know he is in Heaven now & I’m sure our Lord has His arms around him. My thoughts & prayers are with you.???
You will be so missed. I’m glad I got to see you recently to reconnect.
My husband & I met Justin 5 years ago, shortly after we met Angela (our daughters played soccer together) and became friends. He was so much fun. A great conversationalist. We also learned we had a shared love of the band 311, and we would go on to enjoy a couple concerts with him. He created such an amazing piece of artwork for our son, too. We are so sorry to hear of his passing and we send our deepest condolences to his family, Angela, Jace & the girls.
I am at a loss for words, to say I am sorry is such an understatement ! I sure enjoyed his artistic talent and always loved looking at the lizard picture with all the other objects , such talent ! And I know how proud he was of his son and know he loved him with all his heart, surly he is still watching over him ! Love you Monica , Dave and family and you too Angela ! May God give you peace and comfort in this time of need !
My little Justin.
I still hear you and Josh arguing “ Yes Sir Joshy “ and Josh “No Sir Justin”! Aunt Lynne was always “ Auntie Lynne” . I have so many memories of you coming over to my first apartment to hang out. ( and your friends)!
You have always had my heart. We were so much alike, good and bad, but we knew each others soul.
You were more than my cousin, you were my spirit cousin. My heart who only you understood.
I have never had my heart broken this bad, I just pray you are at peace and will become my angel. I will watch for your signs and will look for you every where I go. I know you’ll be there.
Justin, I am beyond heartbroken, I am torn up inside. You were always know. As ‘Little Matt’ to all my high school buddies as I would bring you to bball games and other events. I remember you giving cousin Christine a black eye when you were in your middle Single digits of age because you thought she said something mean to me. You were my little brother and I loved that. Whether your dad and I coached your baseball team or you came to one of my games, we were always interested in being part of each other’s lives. Baseball gave way to golf (age does that kind of thing). We did soooo much together I can’t even begin to start on this. I remember when I had my first son, Owen, and we would go see your folks and hit Red Robin. It was a tradition. I miss you like you can’t imagine and I haven’t talked to you in quite some time. You were the one I called to grab a bite, a beer, or a round of golf. I remember taking you and Josh inside the tunnels that brought us up in Arrowhead stadium where we ran a play on the 50 with a snow football. I still weep every time I think about not having my little cuz to call and just hang with. We did the ‘vanilla ice’ dance at each of our weddings. We just read each other like a book. Quoting South Park and talking like Cartman. Just felt like we were always on that same page. I am going to miss you and as cousin Christine said I will look for your signs in everyday life. Dave and Mo, Josh, I love you all dearly and weep for your loss, but celebrate his life. Justin will surely be looking down on us all and playing his guitar. Little man Jace, second cousin Matt has not met you yet, but hear and heard so much about you. I do hope to see you and meet you someday. I have many stories for you about your dad! Love you ‘Little Matt’/Justin! May you finally be at peace!
Justin was a friend of my sister Amy, but he always talked to me and joked around with me. I grew up hanging out with my sisters friends, and Justin was the first friend I had when I joined Facebook. He told me he liked the way I talked, and that he can’t believe how much I’ve grown. I always meant to ask him how I talked, and now I will never have the chance. I regret not talking to him more, and losing him leaves a hole in my heart. Justin, I love you and you will be incredibly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you.
Justin, it has been so hard to sit down and write this as I DO NOT want to believe you are gone. It is not sinking in! Justin, you were so special, I loved your smile and sincere sweetness. I am so glad Uncle John and I got to see you in September even though it was only for a few hours. I got to hug you and laugh with you. Who knew? Life had its ups and downs but you were always my sweet nephew. I am so proud to call you and Josh a part of My family. You were so sweet to Patrick when he was growing up and he loved you so much. I love the pictures I have of the 3 of you, Josh, and Patrick growing up in Colorado you always called Patrick “Paddy”. When I look at your darling son Jace I see you in his face and your sweetness. I say to myself let this not be true but a mistake. I look at the texts we had from your last birthday and your avatar with hearts as a response to my message. I am gonna miss those impromptu moments. Hug Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa Gene for us, I am sure you were welcomed with open arms. Our turn will come in time, and we know you will be waiting. In the meantime, we will all love Jace and let him know how much his Daddy lit up when he was with him. Gonna miss you so much! Auntie Ingrid
Justin sounds like a wonderful man who will be missed greatly. My condolences to you and your family.
Justin, I’ve put off writing this as long as I could. I didn’t want to. I still don’t want to. It doesn’t feel real. I felt like maybe if I just didn’t put pen to paper, it would just stay as some bizarre terrible dream..but it is real. I felt like if I waited to write these lines, time would instill some grand wisdom in me as to why this happened, or give me some enlightened positition…but it hasn’t.
You were my brother, my nemesis, my accomplice, my confident and my dear friend. I can’t count the amount of times in the las 25 days I’ve instinctually reached for my phone to send you some stupid text about some silly thing that just happened, just to get that sick feeling when I remember, you won’t be texting back. My heart hurts. My eyes are burning, but I just wanted to say. I miss you now. I will miss you tomorrow and for all of the tomorrows. You are my friend. Now you’re gone, and it really really hurts. Much love my brother. Godspeed.
My son never deserved to die, he was a father, brother and son, he had hopes and dreams and was fully capable of giving and receiving love, he had personality beyond his addictive personality, he was highly artistic, comical, giving, he was so many things to so many people with so many different qualities about themselves, you are a beautiful soul in a very stressful and complicated world, it’s been one year since we lost our son , it’s so hard because for 41 years not one day went by that we didn’t talk or see you , now a year later getting no reply Is the hardest thing , I will never move on but since there is no choice, we will move on.
Love ma and pops