Robert "Bob" J. Olsen

Robert “Bob” Olsen, 86, of Overland Park, KS, died September 11, 2026. He was born September 2, 1940, in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Harold and Mary Olsen. Bob grew up in Minneapolis and always retained a deep love for Minnesota and the memories of his childhood there. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and later began a career as a draftsman with Burlington Northern Railroad and HNTB.

In 1983, Bob’s career brought an unexpected new chapter when his job transferred the family from Minnesota to Overland Park, Kansas. He embraced the opportunity, overseeing the building of a new family home and quickly making Kansas City home. Bob had a lifelong passion for home design, building and landscaping. He loved to visualize a space, design every detail and then bring his vision to life. He took great pride in seeing an idea move from a detailed drawing to something real, and he lit up as he talked about what he envisioned with others. He proudly designed and built the family’s home in Bloomington, Minnesota, and remodeled both Overland Park homes from top to bottom.

Bob also loved to travel. Some of his favorite memories were the extended summer road trips the family took together, traveling from Minnesota to California, the Northeast, Canada and Florida. Later, Bob and Deanna continued to explore the world together, traveling to Italy, Ireland, France and the United Kingdom, visiting Hawaii and enjoying several cruises. Bob and Deanna shared a deep appreciation for art and music. They made regular visits to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and enjoyed art fairs, concerts and performing arts throughout the Kansas City area. For more than 20 years, they held season tickets to the New Dinner Theater. After Deanna’s death, their daughters continued the tradition to keep that memory alive.

Bob was an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Overland Park, where he and Deanna were longtime members. They enjoyed Couples Dining Out and volunteered together at the food kitchen. Bob also looked forward to his weekly coffee gatherings with the guys, a tradition that gave him friendship, laughter and community.

Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather who treasured his family and the many gatherings and celebrations Deanna created for them. He took great pride in his daughters and grandchildren and was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, enjoying a Manhattan, a meal and many laughs.

When Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he approached the changes it brought with grace and optimism. Even as the disease progressed, Bob continued to find joy in the people he loved and was deeply loved in return.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Deanna, and his brother, Jim Olsen. He is survived by his daughters, Julie (Sean) Roberts and Laurie (Jim) Gimson; grandchildren Ryan and Nathan Roberts and Grant and Derek Gimson.

Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 11 a.m., October 5 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Overland Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia