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Millins, Waltons, Kampens, Westlunds, Smiths & Brunos planted 50 trees in memory of Benjamin Rathburn
Thursday, August 28, 2025
50 trees were planted in memory of
Benjamin Rathburn
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Mike & Denise Our thoughts are with you & the family at this difficult time. Love your Vivo Road Trip Fam. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Mazankowski family planted 3 trees in memory of Benjamin Rathburn
Thursday, August 28, 2025
3 trees were planted in memory of
Benjamin Rathburn
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Words cannot express the sorrow our family feels for the Kotelko clan during this incredibly difficult time. Heartfelt condolences - Mazankowski's . Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Millins, Waltons, Westlunds, Smiths, Kampens & Brunos planted 50 trees in memory of Benjamin Rathburn
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
50 trees were planted in memory of
Benjamin Rathburn
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Mike & Denise our thoughts are with you & the family at this difficult time. Planting trees in Bens memory is a great gesture. Love your Vivo Road Trip Fam. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Shelley and Tom Bedore planted 3 trees in memory of Benjamin Rathburn
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
3 trees were planted in memory of
Benjamin Rathburn
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We are so sorry for your loss. Ben will be missed by so many people that loved him. Please find peace with the passing of time. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Candace Mahaffey donated to Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation (Wrhn Foundation)
Monday, September 8, 2025
We will always love and remember Ben,
We will miss him forever
Love Ted and Candace
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Todd posted a condolence
Friday, August 29, 2025
One memory of Ben if like to share is Ben's love for imports. Driving all night from GP Ben showed up in Edmonton. 7 in the morning driving his blue Honda civic waking the house up. Wanted to go to the West end to test drive some imports. We headed west to drive a Nissan 300 twin turbo, Subaru WRX, Acura Integra type R. As I sat passenger Ben ripped through the gears of each with a huge smile on his face. R.I.P Ben.
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Sheryi Mazankowski posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Words cannot express the sorrow our family feels for the entire Kotelko clan during this incredibly difficult time. Losing a child is an unimaginable pain, and our hearts ache for yours. We hope you find comfort in the love and support of those around you, and in the memories you have of Ben. Please know that we are here for you if you need anything at all. With deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences, your dear friends, the Mazankowski's (Roger, Sheryi, Morgan, Jordan, & Madden, Mackenzie and Omran
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Rodney Chu planted a tree in memory of Benjamin Rathburn
Friday, August 22, 2025
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Great friends make the good times better and the hard times easier. Thank you, Ben, for always being there for me. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Brian & Karen Tatarin posted a condolence
Monday, August 18, 2025
Our sincere condolences to the Family of Ben.
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Candace & Ted Mahaffey posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Q: What will you never forget about Benjamin?
A: One year at Christmas time, Kevin, Colleen, Ben and Brian, Ted and I Penny and Ronald went out to cut down our Christmas trees. I remember Ben and Brian and Ronald were more excited about how many mice they could find and kill that the tree was secondary.
Its the memories of the childhood moments that I will cherish.
Memories are forever and I am grateful for that.
with Love Ted and Candace Mahaffey
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Wayne Smith uploaded photo(s)
Monday, August 11, 2025
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Our memories of Ben are all much the same. Ben always greeted Marcia and I with a Big Smile and a great Hug. Ben was not into small talk much with us he always had deeper thoughts on our well being as well as his own. My personal memories of Ben go to working with him at Highland Feeders for the better part of 2 years. Ben was always one of the first to arrive and more often than not he was the last to leave after a punishing 16+ hour day. I often checked with Ben to help me in my duties and also worked closely with him treating hundreds of animals in short order (16 hr. days). Ben had a knowledge of animal treatment that was second to none. Treating the animals came with all sorts of inherent risk. On occasion a crazed animal would end up on its back in the chute prior to being treated. Ben and his team would swing into action and strap the animal and flip it over before you knew anything had gone wrong.
Ben was Strong, Focused, Reliable and above all he had an incredible Spirit which both I and Marcia will miss for now and forever.
Photo of a November morning in 2020 at the Highland Feeders Feedlot.
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Cory Yarmuch uploaded photo(s)
Monday, August 11, 2025
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I had some the best times of life with Ben by my side. I'm devastated to hear the news after seeing him so recently again. My condolences to the family and everyone touched by this gentle hearted, fun loving human.
Cory
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Ken and Connie Baxandall posted a condolence
Monday, August 11, 2025
Denise, Mike and Family
We're so saddened to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May all your memories bring comfort and peace in the days ahead.
Ken and Connie Baxandall
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Garry and Diane Laschowski posted a condolence
Friday, August 8, 2025
Denise & Mike and families - we cannot begin to imagine the pain you hearts are feeling.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.
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Dave and Tracy Stewart posted a condolence
Friday, August 8, 2025
Sincere thoughts and prayers to the families. May his love and light stay bright always.
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Holley and Arden Ziegler posted a condolence
Friday, August 8, 2025
Our deepest condolences to Parker and to all of Ben’s family ❤️
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dyoungha@telus.net posted a condolence
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Sincere sympathy to all of Ben’s family at this difficult time
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Zach Emond posted a condolence
Thursday, August 7, 2025
I will always remember that contagious smile and laugh, Ben always lit up every room he walked into ❤️
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Brenda Hunka lit a candle
Thursday, August 7, 2025
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My condolences to the families , every moment is to cherish and memories will always be remembered. God Bless Brenda Hunka
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Darlene Topolnicki posted a condolence
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Dear Kotelko & Rathburn families,
Words can’t express the sympathy we are feeling for you since hearing the news of your loss. May your memories strengthen the grief you are going through. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Hugs to all
Don & Darlene Topolnicki
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Samantha Hawkins lit a candle
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
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My condolences to all of his family and friends. Benjamin was always a fun free spirt in school.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Benjamin Rathburn
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Autumn Rose Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Benjamin Rathburn uploaded a photo
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
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Delvin Rach posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
The summer of 97’ when Ben first got his drivers license and came to spend the summer in Grande Prairie with his brother Brian. Already being friends with Brian, I got to meet his brother Ben that July, and for the rest of the summer we all cruised around in his Eagle station wagon that had two house speakers in the back. I can’t tell all the stories on here, but we had great times and memories that summer that I cherish to this day.

