Robert Jarl Olsen

Robert Jarl Olsen, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 14, 2025. Born January 28, 1933 in Minneapolis, he was a lifelong resident of both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. 

Preceded in death by parents Jarl and Gladys (Young) Olsen, sister Mary Ann Olsen and spouse Marlene (Mach) Olsen. 

Survived by sons Erik Olsen (Silvana Muñoz) and Paul Olsen, granddaughters Serena Olsen-Muñoz, Simone Keha Olsen and Binah Keha Olsen, as well as extended family and friends. 

Bob graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1950, and the University of MN in 1955, with a Bachelors of Chemical Engineering. A member of the Army ROTC, he subsequently served in the Army in England and Germany. 

Bob spent his entire professional career at 3M in Chemical Manufacturing, including three years in Antwerp, Belgium. 

After being set up on a blind date, Bob married Marlene Mach July 1, 1967 and were wed for 54 years.  

A guiding force in Bob’s life was volunteerism; from rehabbing houses with Habitat for Humanity for 29 years, helping first graders learn how to read for 19 years, teaching Sunday school for 11 years, and bringing the 3M Mr. Wizard science program to elementary students for four years, doing for others is what gave him purpose. During the 1980s, Bob volunteered with Southeast Asian Ministries teaching ESL, tutoring, and rehabbing sewing machines and dressers for Cambodian immigrants.  

Bob and Marlene traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, which oftentimes overlapped with their love of birding.   

You could find Bob woodworking in the basement, doing crossword puzzles in the den, using his trusty binoculars in search of never-before-seen bird species, and having tea at the TeaSource in Highland Park—or as he referred to it, “our local Cheers.” 

As Bob recently shared, “If I had to do it all over again, I would do a lot of the same things.” A testament to a life well lived.  

The family wishes to thank Bob’s caregivers from Our Lady of Peace Home Health Care, Our Lady of Peace Hospice and Right at Home for their years of care and dedication. 

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at O'Halloran and Murphy 575 S. Snelling Ave. St. Paul, MN 55116. Interment at Hillside Cemetery 2600 19th Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55418. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the donor's choice: Smile Train, Gospel Mission- Twin Cities, Our Lady of Peace Hospice. The memorial will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/OhalloranAndMurphy 

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Robert Jarl Olsen, please visit our Tree Store.