Robert (Bob) L. Olson
February 5, 1939 ~ September 22, 2012
Robert Lee (Bob) Olson was born on February 5, 1939, to Oscar and Edith (Huston) Olson in Webster, SD. He was raised on the family farm near Holmquist, SD. Later he attended and graduated from Roslyn High School. Bob then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany for about 2 years. Upon his return Bob settled in the Aberdeen area where he worked for over 27 years at the John Morrell plant before it closed. He also raised his three children there. In 1998 Bob relocated to Brandon to pursue a floor refinishing business called Olson Flooring.
Robert was an active member of the Brandon Lutheran Church. He could be found volunteering for all kinds of projects around the church including ushering, making lefse, participating in Men’s Group and Bible studies, and resurfacing the wood floors in the front of the sanctuary. Bob was known to be a jokester and was always teasing someone or telling a funny story. His laugh was infectious and people just enjoyed being around him. He was also deeply committed to the Brandon V.F.W. Post 4726 serving as a member of the Honor Guard for fallen colleagues and in the Color Guard for parades, football games, and other events. In earlier years Bob loved to fish and went on several trips in search of the “big one.” Later years were filled with cherished time with his grandchildren of whom he was very proud. Bob was also a faithful member of his coffee buddies’ group. Sadly, Bob died on Saturday, September 22, 2012, at his home in Brandon, SD.
Bob is survived by his three children, Bryan (Stephanie) Olson, Sioux Falls; Deann Olson, Omaha, NE; and Alissa Olson, Omaha, NE; five grandchildren, Jacob, Annie, Brenna, Ellie, and Finley Olson; two brothers, Magnus Olson, Brookings; and Franklin (JoAnne) Olson, Pierpont; and two sisters, Alice (Don) Anderson, Sioux Falls; and Julia (Dale) Hagen of Indianola, IA.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Edith Olson, and two brothers, William and Russell Olson.
Sorry for your loss. Bob was such a sweet man. He will be missed at church.
Please accept my deepest sympathies on the death of your beloved brother, Bobby. When I look at the picture with the obituary, I am remined of the ready smile that Bobby had. He loved to tease all of Alice and Julia’s friends. You didn’t know if you should run or stay put! His laugh was so infectious. I will cherish those memories of Bobby.
I know that you will spend the next few days remembering all of the good times you had with your brother as well as some of the rough patches you went through with him. May the peace and love of God sustain you and yours through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
I work with your Mom at the Heart Hospital,
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of you Dad.May this sorrowful time allow you to reflect upon all the joy that you once shared with your Dad.My there be comfort in knowing friend’s are here for you in your sorrow.Pleas know that God’s love surrounds you at your time of pain.
God Bless and you have my Deppest Sympathy.
Joyce Rodman
bob was a great guy and full of wisdom, comforted me during a very hard time i faced. he will be missed by many, my thoughts and prayers go out to the family
Dear Bryan, Deann, & Alissa: We are so sorry to hear of your Dad passing on. He was a good neighbor always ready to give us a handyman helping hand. What great memories of 907 & 909 North Lincoln! You kids performing skits for us in the back yard. Your Dad was always so proud of each of you. He surely continues to love you deeply. You are all in our prayers.
Gaylen & Lois Bendewald
Dear Bryan, Deann, and Alissa,
My sympathy to each of you upon Bob’s death. I have many fond memories of Bob while serving as pastor of your home church in Aberdeen. Bob loved to participate in the Bible studies and was always asking questions and seeking answers from God’s Word. May God continue to comfort you with memories of your father and promises from God’s Holy Word!
PEACE IN CHRIST!
My sympathy goes out to all who loved Bob. He will be missed by many. He was such a happy person. I hope peace will be found by each family member as we know that Bob is at peace today, another angel watching over each and every one of us.
God Bless Bobs family and friends!!!
Yes, what memories we have of growing up at Fron Church in the country and also in the years that followed. To the Olson family and to Bob’s immediate family, Brian, Allisa and Deanne, I am so sorry to get this news of Bob’s passing. We don’t question what God has in store for us, but sometimes it takes awhile to process something as this. Bob has and will always have a special place in my heart. Prayers and Blessings to the family at this time and the days to come.
Dear family, My sister Arlene graduated with Bob and always commented on Bob’s eagerness to gather with friends. My brother Larry worked with Bob, probably the 50’s, on a farm and was grateful for Bob’s being there to explain tasks in a patient way.
One of our life’s goals is to leave fond memories of ourselves…Bob has accomplished that.
Our deepest sympathy to Bob’s family. We knew him through church and the VFW in Brandon. He was always so nice to us and in fact, gave me a hug just recently when we saw him with the Color Guard after they performed at Brandon’s Homecoming. He will be missed by many.
Sincerely,
Bobby & Holly Swenson
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Bob. I had the great privilege of meeting Bob for the first time last week. Bob came and gave us a bid for our oak floors in our house. I was so impressed with the knowledge that he provided us with. Bob was so excited to be able to help us with this project. My Sympathy is with you at this time. Bob will be missed!~
Rest in Peace, Bob. We enjoyed ushering with you at Brandon Lutheran and also seeing your smiling face at coffee on Saturday mornings. Larry & Mindee
From 904 North Lincoln our heart go out to you during this time of sadness. So many memories of our great neighbors and dearest friends! You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless!
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We have many great memories of times spent with all of you! It was great to have him around when we were living in Sioux Falls to see a familiar face at church and we sometimes would see him in Roslyn. Know that we have all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Suzanne & family
Bob…you will be missed. I was so fortunate to get to know you through the cancer care group. My thoughts are with your family feeling the loss.
I am so sorry to hear about Bob. I remember all of the fun times we had with your family when we were younger and the stories my mom and dad told of the good times they had with him.
My sympathy goes out to Bob’s family. I always enjoyed working with Bob at BLC; whether it was helping with worship or on commmittees. He was so very kind and friendly. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. ReNae Hays
I am one of Bob’s friends from our Fron Church days and also from when he would pick his mother up from the country school where she was teaching and where I attended through 8th grade. To Bob’s brothers and sisters, all of whom I know, you have my heartfelt sympathy and to his children please know that your father was a special person who was always kind, caring and warm. You will all continue to be in my prayers as your grieve the loss of your brother and your father.
I was becky pfeiffers oldest sis, lotsa of memories she had but I do remember Bob as a gentle man,God BlessYou all
My sympathy goes out to you all, we will sure miss Bob at church, he was a great guy. He was a volunteer when we served at The Banquet, always smiling and willing to help others!! That is coming up in Oct. I also enjoyed greeting at church with Bob. God Bless.
Sorry to hear about your father. I just found out tonight and was saddened. Many Blessings on your family during this grieving period.
Bob was one of the warmest, most genuine Christians I ever met. He reached across generations to encourage and support all of us. I will always remember him and his radiant smile. He has been a wonderful gift to many and I know God has welcomed him home.
Very sorry to hear about your loss, although I hadn’t seen Bob in some time, We worked together at John Morrell in Aberdeen for over 26 yrs. He was a very nice man.
I met Bob several times when he would visit Julia and Dale, last Christmas being the most recent. He had a warm personality and so easy to talk to. I want all of you to know and remember I am continuing to think of you at this difficult time. I pray that for each of you God will lift you up with his soft reassuring whisper to provide you what you need.