Steven Derryl Olsen, musician, father, grandfather, husband, passed away at age 70 on February 26, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by family and close friends.

Steve was born in Pacific Grove, CA, to the late Daphne Olsen (Brady) and Darryl Olsen on December 13, 1955. He was the middle child of 5 children, survived by his older brother Glenn Olsen, younger sister Daphne Eliason, and preceded in death by sisters, Ellen Bivins and Cindy Olsen (Nikki Brady). Steve always credited his sister Daphne as being his biggest fan.

Steve moved to Alaska following the 1964 earthquake and graduated from Lathrop High School in 1975. At age 17, he was saved during the “Jesus People” movement, and that paved the way for his life and music career thereafter. He met and married Lorie Lawrence in 1981 and moved to Southern California, where he started his career in music and his family.

Steve graduated from Guitar Institute of Technology in 1984, and shortly after formed the band Stevie and the Saints with original members: Kenny Kane (bass guitar), John Tinker (drums), and Ken Roberts (producer). After signing a record deal, Stevie and the Saints went on tour and were among the bands that paved the way for hard rock Christian music. “Metal Blue” was released in 1988, along with “Eye on the Prize” in 1990.

Throughout his time in Southern California, Steve and Lorie had 3 children: Jeremy Olsen, Jessica Cacy (Olsen), and Emily McKee (Olsen). Along with his incredible gift for playing guitar, he was given the gift of fatherhood and loved his children dearly. Quoting that his time in LA when his children were little was his happiest and most cherished.

They moved back to Fairbanks in 1990, where he continued to work in the local music scene, producing several albums and opening for bands including: Eddie Money, Foghat, Quiet Riot, Blue Oyster Cult, Great White and taught music lessons at Music Mart. His music training made it easy for him to change genres and play a variety of different styles.

Steve spent some time in the New Orleans area (2009-2015), soaking in local food and music culture until moving back to Alaska, (Anchorage), in 2015 after becoming a grandpa for the first time. He was the proud grandfather of 3 grandchildren: Ivy Cacy, Clive Cacy and Judah McKee.

He married his wife Carolyn in 2022 in Wasilla Alaska where they both lived and worked as musicians and built a beautiful community for themselves. In his last years, he played jazz at places throughout Palmer and Wasilla, including The Last Frontier Brewing Company, The Chop House, and Everett’s, and really enjoyed teaching lessons at Wood and Wire.

Steve is survived by his children, Jeremy Olsen, Jessica Cacy, Emily McKee, Alexis Buhrman (Roskelley), Grandchildren Ivy Cacy, Clive Cacy, and Judah McKee, and wife Carolyn Roediger. 

A celebration of life is scheduled for May 4th, 2026, at 2:30pm, at Everett’s in Wasilla, Alaska. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/steven-olsen/obituary/

Copy