JULIA D. OLSEN Aug. 11, 1924 – March 6, 2016 Julia D. Olsen of Albuquerque, New Mexico died peacefully at her home March 6, 2016 at the age of 91 surrounded by friends and her daughter.
Julia is survived by her children Hugh E. Olsen, David E. Olsen, Joyce O. Custer, and their families. Julia was preceded in death by her husband Clayton E. Olsen.
Julia was born to John L. and Martha E. Davis (McCallister) in rural Arkansas August 11, 1924, the youngest of five children. Julia was the first in her family to attend college and had many stories about college life. She received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of the Ozarks in Little Rock Arkansas.
Upon graduation, Julia worked for Carter Oil Company in Tulsa, OK. Following her lifelong love of science and education, Julia enrolled in Ohio State University’s graduate program for Chemistry where she met her husband of over forty years, Clayton E. Olsen. Together they raised their three children, Hugh, David, and Joyce in Los Alamos, NM. In 1976, Julia went back to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory where she worked until retiring.
Julia lived in Los Alamos for 45 years. In 2000, after the Cerro Grande Fire, Julia settled near her daughter in Albuquerque, NM where she pursued her passions for her children, grandchildren, reading, and gardening.
Julia’s ashes will be interred at Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos. Julia’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Sandra Britt, Barbara Adcox, and Regina Bensink for their loving care.
