Twila V (Olsen) Davies

Twila V Olsen Davies, was born on February 17, 1927 to James Elmer and Eleanor Peacock Olsen. She grew up the baby of the family with sister, Naomi, brother, Jay, and sister-cousin and near twin, Reba Keele.

Twila had a spunky soul. After graduating from high school as valedictorian, she left her small pioneer town filled with extended family to move to Salt Lake City where she worked in the war effort doing office tasks with military inventory. She also worked for Deseret Book. Twila married the love of her life, Donald Paul Davies, on August 30, 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Twila and Don raised their five children in Utah, southern California, and Iowa and also lived in Michigan before returning decades later to Utah. Each move brought many opportunities for Twila to serve in organization leadership and teaching positions for the Church in these areas including ward and stake primary president, and teacher; stake young women president; stake Relief Society president; and seminary teacher. She had the unique assignment to be a regional Relief Society leader assisting with the celebrations surrounding the dedication of the women’s sculpture garden in Nauvoo, Illinois. Professionally, Twila worked as a secretary in the insurance industry.

Twila served as a literacy volunteer in the Missionary Training Center in Provo. Together with her husband Don, she served two missions for the Church, in Munich, Germany, and in Leeds, England where Twila’s office skills proved valuable. Their time abroad as missionaries became highly treasured experiences and memories for both of them. She was faithful and dedicated to doing her best in serving the Lord and His children in whatever capacity. This included a memorable assignment with Don when she was eighty years old as scout leaders for ten-year-old boys. They later served together for years in the Family History Library in Springville, Utah. Twila and Don celebrated over 71 years of marriage before Don passed away in 2018.

Twila cultivated an attitude of positivity and determination that she maintained throughout the challenges of life including a couple of battles with cancer and COVID-19, and especially through the loss of her dear companion, Don. She often expressed her gratitude for being “healthy and happy” and she worked diligently to achieve these. She persisted in riding her stationary bike even into the last year of her life. She made efforts to embrace and use technology even late in her life including making PowerPoint presentations for her lessons and clubs, Indexing, and learning to use an iPhone at the age of 91. She loved recognizing people with cards and notes she created and personalized on her computer.

Twila’s faith, duty and devotion to God and his children were really at the core of who she was and how she and Don lived their lives. She was sure in her understanding of God’s love for each of his children and prayed daily to know who she should serve. She was confident in following a path that would allow her to be together with her loved ones for eternity. This is the legacy that she worked and prayed so diligently to pass down to her beloved family and friends.

Twila finished her sojourn on this earth and returned gloriously to her heavenly home on August 27, 2021 in Springville, Utah at the age of 94.

Twila is survived by children Diana Nielsen, Annette (David) Rogers; Steven (Judy) Davies; Susan (Jan) Paulson; and Mark (Natalie) Davies; 28 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Don, her parents; her sister, Naomi Candland; brother Jay Olsen; and special cousin Reba Keele Zollinger.

Twila was ever grateful for the special care she received from Rebecca, Ted and her dear friends at Heritage Gardens Assisted Living and Envision Hospice.

There will be a public viewing Wednesday, September 1st from 6-8 p.m. at Wheeler Funeral Home, 211 East 200 South, Springville, UT.

Thursday September 2nd there will be a viewing from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1460 East 900 South, Springville, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.

Twila will be interred at Salt Lake City Cemetery