Robert “Bobby” Kay Olson

Funeral Services will be Saturday May 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery immediately after.

Bobby was born in Cottonwood, MN to Ralph Sr. and Cherry Olson into a large musical family of ten children. Bobby played trumpet, French horn and enjoyed composing on the piano. He especially enjoyed classical music.

He is survived by his brother, Ralph Jr. (Sonny) and sister-in-law, Ione Olson of Cottonwood, Sister, Dorothy Ann Heydon of Marshall, brother-in-law, Ralph Retter, Tucson, AZ., many cousins, nieces and nephews, his close friends John Wagner and Kenny Jelen, and his loving dog “Curly”.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Cherry (Pearson) Olson and siblings Emery an infant brother, Ethod (Ted) Bergeron, Betty (Bob) Bonnell, James (Alice) Olson, Mary Lou Olson (Cal Madsen), Rodney (Mary Ann) Olson, Connie Retter, and Brother-in-laws Ferroll Heydon and Duane Warnke.

Robert was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church and graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1960. He graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Art degree from Southwest State University, as well as a Fluid Power degree from Granite Falls Vocational Institute.

Bobby was an avid fisherman who enjoyed competing with his brothers on who could catch the biggest or most fish. He crafted and painted his own lures and always knew what the fish were biting on and where the hot spots were. He often fished at the Lac qui Parle dam, the river in Granite Falls and Cottonwood Lake.

Bobby worked various jobs. He worked at the Cottonwood Current as a proofreader and as a Lyon County Dispatcher in his early years. He worked several years at the local Cottonwood grocery store and cared for his mother until her death in 1992.

In his later years he helped several elderly individuals with yard care and home maintenance.

Bobby loved thrift shopping and finding a “good bargain”. He enjoyed good conversation and called his siblings often to visit.

Bobby was grateful for his family who helped care for him and to Dr. Eleazar Briones II who provided excellent and compassionate care near the end of his life.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.