Roger Allen Olmsted was born January 12, 1952 in Oxford, NE, the son of Delbert & Peg (White) Olmsted. He passed away on December 24, 2023 at the Via Christi Village in Hays, KS at the age of 71.
Roger was a proud farmer growing up (continuing on, helping friends and family during harvest), a proud Veteran (serving in the Air Force from 1971 to 1975), a proud member of the Edison American Legion, a proud sports fan (GO HUSKERS!), a proud son, brother, father, and grandfather, and most of all, a proud friend. Over the years, he has had the most amazing group of friends anyone could ask for. He loved hanging out with his friends on a daily basis, going on road trips with them, and helping them, as they helped him, in any way he could. Some of his fondest memories include poker at Jack and Mary's (who became like a second set of parents to him), trips to Rio Doso for the horse races, and the annual fall trips with the guys (the hobo convention was a huge hit!)
Being a family of game players, Roger always enjoyed family get togethers when the games (dominoes, uno, and every card game you could think of) were brought out and the fun began! He enjoyed family Christmases in Kearney when it was getting harder for everyone to get together. We always made it work!
He loved his country drives (2 lanes only, no interstate for him!), attending any sporting event he could (whether in support of someone's child or grandchild or just to enjoy the game), visiting family, and being as social as he could. He refereed and umpired games for years, helped out during rodeo time, and was active in his community.
He graduated in 1970 from Beaver City Nebraska, where he played basketball, football, and baseball (he did not like track!) He attended the University of Nebraska Technical Agriculture in Curtis, NE. After moving to Phillipsburg he began working at Kyle Railroad in 1985 on the maintenance crew and occasionally traveled with the go team to various states which he really enjoyed. After 29 years, he retired in 2014.
After battling throat cancer and colon cancer back to back, Roger went on for another 13 amazing years. Through it all he was always the best patient with the best attitude and the highest of hopes.
Survived by parents Delbert and Peggy Olmsted; sisters Roxanne (Russell) Lowenstein and Rhonda Olmsted; children Dustin and Stacie Olmsted; granddaughter Tristin Fleharty; aunts and uncles Clinton and Ardella Olmsted, Coreen Best, and Rich and Cheryl White.
Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held Friday, December 29 at 10:30 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hays Hospice or the Hope in the Heartland Fund.