Irene Sue Olsen

Irene Sue Olsen of Casper, Wyoming passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025 at the age of 84. She was born September 24, 1940 in Sterling, Utah to Darwin and Velda Durfee.

Irene was the eldest of seven children. In her early life, she lived in Kane, Wyoming on her family’s farm in Bighorn County. While living in Kane, Irene attended Deaver High School. As she was walking home from school one day when she was seventeen, a young man drove alongside her with his window rolled down so he could talk to her. Irene wouldn’t have anything to do with him at first, but over time as she walked home from school and the young man drove by her side, the two established a bond. The young man would later become her husband, Allan Olsen. On October 13, 1959, Irene and Allan eloped in Reno, Nevada. In the mid-to-late 1960’s, the town of Kane was purchased by the Bureau of Reclamation after the construction of Yellowtail Dam on Bighorn Lake caused the land where Kane was situated to be condemned. The Durfee family left Kane long before it became a ghost town, taking up residence in West Valley, Utah and later relocated to Kearns, Utah before becoming established in Deaver, Wyoming.

Irene had many residences across many different states over the years, owing to Allan’s work in the oilfield. In 1960, Irene gave birth to her son, Lynn, in Preston, Idaho which was the closest hospital to where Allan was working. Their daughter, Ginger, was born seven years later while the family lived in Rock Springs, Wyoming. They later moved to Casper, Wyoming where Irene worked at the courthouse. In the mid-1970’s, the family moved to Denver, Colorado where Irene worked as a receptionist for a real estate office and a beauty salon. Irene and Allan loved to entertain guests in their Denver home. In later years, Irene and Allan spent their summers in Story, Wyoming where she loved to watch the deer and hummingbirds that would frequent the property. They would snowbird to Bullhead City, Arizona for the winter, where they enjoyed gambling and visiting with friends. Of all the places she lived, Irene recalled memories of her home in Bullhead City, Arizona with the most admiration.

Irene was a social butterfly who loved flowers and fashion. She adored costume jewelry, and was always dressed in style. She was fond of the finer things in life, and loved to live luxuriously. She enjoyed mingling with her family and neighborhood friends, and always put snacks on the table when anyone stopped by.

Irene is survived by her brothers, Dwight and Van; son, Lynn; daughter, Ginger Olsen Cook; three grandchildren, Josh (Kate) Olsen, Jake Cook, Jack (Mariah) Cook; and one great-grandchild, Grace June Cook. She also embraced a step-grandson, Travis (Sarah) Gray; and two step-great-grandchildren, Owen and Evan. Irene was preceded in death by her and husband, Alan; parents, Darwin and Velda; siblings, Jane, Shirley, Duane, and Kim.

A private graveside service for immediate family will be held in Deaver, Wyoming.

"Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea Oh carry my loved one home safely to me.

Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea 

Oh carry my loved one home safely to me." 

“Red Sails in the Sunset” by The Platters

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