Heber Lehi Olson was born February 23, 1894 to Erick Lehi Olson and Ingrid Larsen. The Olsons were first generation immigrants to the United States from Sweden, and were among the second group of pioneers to settle the city of River Heights, Utah in 1887. In 1908, Erick Olson was called to serve as bishop of the First Ward established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in River Heights, and he was instrumental in the construction of many of the early structures in the town, including the first Latter-day Saint meetinghouse.

Heber Olson married Ann Hinton Davis on October 6, 1913, and together they had nine children. Olson remained an influential citizen of River Heights throughout his live, and served as mayor from 1937-1961. Olson also served as Chairman of the Irrigation Company and water master of the city. During Olson's tenure as mayor, he worked to defeat a plan to consolidate schools in River Heights and Providence, a neighboring city, and oversaw the completion of a new school building in 1950. Olson also arranged the purchase of land around the school to be set aside as a city park, which currently bears his name. Olson died in February of 1982.