Robert “Bob” Carlson

Robert “Bob” Carlson, age 62, of Olivia, MN passed away on Friday, August 25, 2023 at the Olivia Healthcare Center. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Olivia with Rev. Lark Carlson Brown officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Palmyra Methodist Church Cemetery south of Hector following the service.

Robert John Carlson was born on December 23, 1960 to Orley and Doris (Havens) Carlson in Olivia, MN. He grew up in Danube and graduated from Renville High School in 1979. Bob worked for many years driving semi trucks for United Mills in Renville and Jennie-O Turkey Store in Atwater. He also farmed with his brother, Joe, on his farm by Danube. Bob was a gun enthusiast who enjoyed spending time at the shooting range working on his marksmanship. As Bob didn’t have any children of his own, he was involved in the lives of his nieces and nephews, creating countless memories over the years. The Minnesota Vikings and playing cards/dice were not his favorite, but he was a good sport and joined in because being with his family was what mattered to him the most.  Bob enjoyed life at full speed on his snowmobile or Harley motorcycle. He had a love for heavy metal music, especially his nephew Jake’s band, Black Veil Brides.  He enjoyed sitting around the campfire, fishing, dogs, and cooking; he even mastered the ability to bake his mom’s famous chocolate chip cookies. His quiet personality and witty one-liners will always be remembered.

Robert is survived by his sisters, Lark (and George) Brown of Gibbon and Sue Lundquist of Apple Valley; his sister-in-law, Linda Carlson of Danube; his nieces and nephews: Cindy Verzalik, Beth Knudsen, Adam Verzalik, Chrissy (Eric) Sjoberg, Sarah (Kevin) Lowry, Jacob (Inna) Pitts, Rebecca (Brian) Boll, Lynn (Jeremy) Krause, Amanda Carlson (Jamison), and Eric Carlson; and many other relatives and friends. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Carolyn Marie Pitts; his brother, Joe Carlson; and his nephew, Paul Verzalik.

Blessed Be His Memory