Roger A. Olsen

Roger A. Olsen, 78, of Albion, NE passed away Saturday, September 26, 2026 at his home, surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at St Michael’s Catholic Church in Albion, NE with Fr. Matt Gutowski officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 162, VFW Post 736 and the Navy Funeral Honors team. Visitation will be 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday at the church with a 6:00 p.m. wake service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Roger Alan Olsen, son of Chester and Violet (Monk) Olsen, was born November 30, 1947, in Minden, NE. He grew up on the family farm near Norman, NE, with his siblings. Roger attended Minden High School, graduating with the class of 1966. 

Following high school, Roger attended Central Community College in Hastings, where he met the love of his life, Gayle Byrne. Roger and Gayle were united in marriage on September 14, 1968, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Red Cloud, NE. 

In 1969, Roger enlisted in the United States Navy. During his service, Roger was assigned to the 49th Squadron and served as a flight crew member aboard the P-3 Orion, attaining the rank of E-5. 

Roger and Gayle lived in Hastings, NE, until April 1969, when they moved to Jacksonville, FL, where Roger was stationed at the naval base. In September of that same year, they relocated to Key West, FL. In September 1971, they returned to the naval base in Jacksonville. Roger and Gayle returned to Red Cloud, NE, in December 1972 before relocating to Albion in 1991. Roger worked as a serviceman for Kansas Nebraska Gas and later as a marketer for Black Hills Energy. While living in Red Cloud, Roger was an active volunteer with the Red Cloud Volunteer Fire Department and served as an EMT, giving his time to help his community. After moving to Albion, he was a member of American Legion Post 162 and the Albion Lions Club. 

Poppie, as he was lovingly known by his grandchildren, knew how to enjoy the simple things in life. During their years in Red Cloud, many weekends were spent at Harlan County Lake, where Roger loved boating, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. Those weekends created countless memories and reflected what Roger enjoyed most—good times with the people he loved. 

He spent many years playing in the men’s golf league at the Albion Country Club and countless hours on the course with his grandsons. Every fall brought one of his favorite traditions—deer hunting with his son Scott, his sons-in-law and grandson. He was an excellent cook and was famous for his chocolate chip cookies and chicken-fried steaks, always making enough to share with his family. He loved traveling with family and taking long trips with Gayle every fall. 

More than anything, Poppie loved his family. He loved being surrounded by his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, never missing a sporting event, school activity, birthday party, or anything else that mattered to them. Whether he was cheering them on from the sidelines, listening to their stories, or simply soaking in the chaos, his love and pride were always clear. 

The greatest legacy Poppie leaves behind is the family he loved so fiercely: four children, Tracy (Brent) Lipker and Amy Hooker, both of Albion, NE; Jeri (Adam) Wies of Petersburg, NE; and Scott (Jill) Olsen of Battle Creek, NE; 13 grandchildren, Amanda (Philip) Rasmussen, Michael, Jaxon, and Myah Lipker; Tristin, Reagan, and Preston Hooker; Karlie, Kaci, and Kenzie Wies; and Taylor, Hunter, and Carter Olsen; four great-grandchildren, Collins, Baker, Grant, and Cal Rasmussen; sister, Mary (George) Hendricks of Champaign, IL; sister-in-law, Janice Kuehn of Heartwell, NE; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. 

Roger was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gayle; his parents, Chester and Violet Olsen; his in-laws, Gerald and Pearl Byrne; his grandparents; brother, Lyle Olsen; and brothers-in-law, Don Nelson and Erv Kuehn.