Robert W. Olsen

Robert (Bob) William Olsen passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 after battling cancer.

He was born on August 20, 1939 in Downes, Kansas to AB and LaVona Olsen.  Bob graduated from Council Grove High School class of 1958.  He joined the Navy soon after graduating from high school, which required his parents’ permission since he was not yet 18.

Bob married Connie Goodman Olsen on November 5, 1967 in Council Grove, Kansas and they had three sons.  Bob was a devoted husband and father.  He loved the Lord and Savior.  Bob was a member of the First Baptist Church and he enjoyed ringing the bell to call people to church and for different honors, remembrances, and meetings.  When he would ring the bell calling people to church, he would ring it 12 times to represent the 12 disciples and 3 times to represent the Trinity.  Bob rang the bells at the church each Sunday until two weeks ago.

Bob worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, where he was employed for 36 years before retiring in 2002.  He enjoyed wood working, restoring furniture, gardening, fishing with his sons, working on car projects, and working in the yard.  Bob loved going to his sons’ sports and community activities when they were younger.  He also enjoyed drinking his Pepsi.

He is preceded in death by his parents, AB and LaVona (Carr) Olsen.  Bob is survived by his wife Connie; his three sons: Kirk Olsen of Abilene, TX, Gunther (Tho) Olsen of Abilene, TX; and Wade Olsen of Acworth, GA; brother Allen (Inger) Olsen of Manhattan, KS; sister Sue (Ron) Hayes of Columbia, MO; sisters-in-law: Bonnie Goodman (Don) Kraus of Council Grove, Becky Goodman (Steve) Morgan of Emporia, KS, Melaney Goodman (Jim) Johnson of Delavan, KS; brother-in-law Fred (Barbara) Goodman of Council Grove; five granddaughters; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews who have cherished memories of Uncle Bob.

The family requests that donations be made to First Church in Council Grove, Kansas.  Bob's Celebration of Life will be held on a later date.