Robert “Bob” Lee Olson, 78, of North Platte, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at the Nebraska Heart Institute, Lincoln. 

Bob was born Aug.6, 1948, six minutes ahead of his twin brother Roger, to Arnold “Dick” and Dorothy (Bradley) Olson in Wendell, Ida.

Bob grew up in Jerome, Ida., attending school and graduating from the Job Corps before moving to southern California. Bob met and married Patricia Gallacher, and they moved to Bakersfield where he worked for Union 76. They had one daughter, Roberta Elaine. They later divorced and Bob moved to El Monte where he worked for Ball Glass Company.  There he met Sharon and they had two sons, Brian and Kelly. 

Seeking a change, Bob switched careers and began driving 18-wheelers.  Bob later met and married Donna. He worked for her mother’s National Van Lines franchise until Donna’s untimely passing.

He then switched to working for Giltner Transportation. While on a route, Bob met Dyanne Woodward, his waitress at the Flying J truck stop in 2003. After a short courtship, the two were married on Dec. 1, 2003. They spent the next 9 years driving together in his truck until his retirement in 2012. They then spent the rest of their time together in North Platte.

Bob will be remembered for his friendly disposition, always starting conversations and chatting up anyone who’d listen. He was a jokester, even joking with his doctors the day of his surgery. He loved fishing and gardening and was particularly proud of his varied tomato crops each year. He was an avid animal lover and filled his life with many cats and dogs, notably their truck dogs Brutus and Taco Bell and their house dog Tootsie Roll.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents Dick and Dorothy, Uncle Connie and Aunt Elsie Cummins, Uncle Jake and Aunt Osie Taylor, brothers Eugene and Roger Olson, daughter Roberta Olson, and son Kelly Olson.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Dyanne Olson, son Brian Olson, stepson Dick Noltensmeier Jr., sister Sylvia Olson, cousins Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Patheal, sister-in-law Karen Olson, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, stepchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held Friday, Sept. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens with Pastor John Sexson officiating. A visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3, from noon-7 p.m., with family receiving friends from 5-7, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nebraska Heart Institute. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at adamsswanson.com.

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