Byron Lloyd Olsen, Sr. passed away December 17, 2022 at his home in Bellevue. He was born to Lloyd and Marie Olsen of Kilgore on October 30, 1937. He grew up on his dad's ranch in Kilgore caring for registered Hereford cattle and riding horses. His family was active in 4-H, and he showed calves and steers at the Cherry County Fair. At one of the fair competitions, he received first place for his driving ability which he said that he was just killing time. He received Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized in the Kilgore Baptist church. He attended school at Kilgore School District from Kindergarten to 12th grade. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially basketball and his teammates. He graduated in 1955 as the class President and salutatorian of his class. He attended college for one year in Sioux Falls, SD before joining the Air Force in 1956. He married his high school sweetheart on July 5, 1958 at the Kilgore Baptist Church. They returned to Castle AFB in California where he worked on the electronics for the F102's and F101's. After he left the service in 1960, he returned to the ranch in Kilgore for six years. He moved his family to Chadron where he and Carol attended Chadron State College and earned their bachelor degrees in 1970. In 1970, he moved his family to Bellevue. He did several jobs before starting as a Custodian in 1978 for Bellevue Public Schools, and he retired from BPS in 2007 after 26 years. He loved joking around with many people. Carolyn especially loved telling jokes with him. He always said I O LEE (which means I Love You). He always had a smile to give and loved his family very much. He and his wife served several years as Presidents of Twin Ridge PTA.
While the children were active band members in the Bellevue and Bellevue East Band, they served as Presidents for Bellevue East Band Boosters. He had a kind heart and great compassion for others and enjoyed talking with students and his coworkers. He especially loved talking about his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was married to the love of his life for 64 years. He used to always end our phone conversations with God Is Good All the time and then we would answer All the time God Is Good. Loved ending our conversations that way.
Preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Marie Olsen; sister Martha Ann Goodrich; grandchildren Caleb and Jessa Van Bibber; sonin- law John Van Bibber.
Survived by his wife of 64 years Carol; children Deborah Bose (James), Christina Van Bibber, Carolyn Ekstrand (John), Byron Olsen, Jr. (Lisa), Kathy Horvath; grandchildren Aaron and Kayla Bose, Cadra, Noah, Nathaniel and Jacob Van Bibber, Charlotte, Christian, Jonathan and Jessica Ekstrand, Joshua and Elizabeth Olsen, Kenneth Horvath; great-grandchildren Callina, Lillian, Phoenix, Ava, Elijah, Rhett, Remington, Liam; brother Lester Olsen (Eva).
Place of rest will take place April 22, 2023, 1:00 p.m. MT at Nebraska Veterans Cemetery in Alliance.
