Roger Bruce Olsen

Roger was born in Columbus, Ohio, on November 7, 1942, to Roger S. and Mary Fredericksen Olsen. At age 10, his family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended Ben Davis High School, Indiana University, and Indiana Central College.

Roger built a life marked by hard work, determination, and a deep commitment to his success in agriculture. He worked for the Linde Division at Union Carbide Corporation, in Speedway, Indiana, and later transferred to Colorado, in January 1967. He also worked for Cryogenic Engineering Company before purchasing Double S Liquid Nitrogen Service and the Carnation Breeding Service distributorship. In July 1970, he purchased Select Sires distribution from Colorado State University and later named his company Colorado Cattle Services. As a distributor for Select Sires he became the number one direct salesman for them, selling 2.5 million units of semen. Roger eventually sold Colorado Cattle Services to Cache Valley Select Sires in 1999 and became an employee with them until he retired, on his terms, in June of 2014. Roger left behind a legacy of dedication and achievement that was driven by his passion of building close relationships, that he coveted, with his friends and customers.

Roger’s outward first impression was very stern and rigid when in reality he was an incredibly generous, compassionate person with a desire to know people on a very personal level. Roger was a man of character, integrity, service, faith, and possessed a sarcastic humor that he enjoyed sharing with others. A prime example of Roger’s humor is he loved to overuse the same phrases like “don’t sweat the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.” He used his sayings to a tiring degree laughing each time he would say one as if it were the first time he had ever said it.

When Roger wasn’t working or donating his time he enjoyed watching grandkids play sports, fishing, skiing, watching sports, traveling, cool cars, telling stories, enjoying a stiff drink, drag racing, driving cattle, visiting with friends and helping others.

Roger was generous with his time serving in many capacities in the community, church, and education boards and took great pride in his family being among the first Gelbvieh cattle breeders in the United States. This legacy continues today under the care of his son Roger and daughter-in-law June.

Roger felt truly blessed and claimed he had accomplished everything on his bucket list. He and Cookie treasured their time at their condo, using timeshares in Hawaii and Mexico, and taking 32 cruises to Alaska, Europe, and South America, often joined by family.

Roger passed on June 9th, 2026 of cancer and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cookie; his sons and daughters-in-law, Roger A. and June, and Ron and Jenifer; his grandsons, Shane (and wife Nicollette), Kyle, Eric, Derek, and Jason; and his great-grandchildren, Barrett and Zoey.

Services will be held at 10am on June 24th, 2026, at Faith Community Lutheran Church. Pastor Dan Hansen will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to a cause dear to your heart.