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Colin Farbotko Obituary

COLIN YUREK FARBOTKO, 34 MINNEAPOLIS - Colin Yurek Farbotko, 34, much loved husband, son, brother and nephew passed away Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, in his home, after confronting and fighting against ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) for six years. Born Aug. 13, 1978, in Rockford, Ill., to George M. and Janet A. Farbotko of Roscoe, Ill. A 1996 graduate of Hononegah High School, Rockton, Ill., and 2000 graduate of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. Colin married Marney Olson on April 1, 2006, in St. Paul, Minn. He was employed as a web designer and multi-media specialist for Inscape Publishing, Minneapolis, until his retirement in 2010. Colin was a caring and helpful person to all. He was active in his community and loved to be outdoors running, biking, skiing, or cooking great food at the grill. He was an accomplished triathlete and Ironman. Colin was a past president of Target Corporate Running Club and board member of Minnesota Distance Running Association (MDRA). He was a member of Team USA-Illinois Snow Sculptors and successfully competed with top international teams in Switzerland, Canada and the U.S.A. He will be remembered for his quiet courage, his endless creativity and his great good humor. Survived by wife, Marney; parents, George and Janet Farbotko of Roscoe; sister and best friend, Anna Farbotko (Stéphane Corre) of Nantes, France; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins including special great-aunt, Marialice Grady of Bonita Springs, Fla. Predeceased by grandparents, Michalina Farbotko and Earle and Helene Johnson. Service from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 20, in Washburn-McReavy Nokomis Park Chapel, 1838 E. Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to ALS Association MN/ND/SD Chapter, 333 N. Washington Ave., Suite 105, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rockford Register Star from Oct. 18 to Oct. 19, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Colin Farbotko

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Sandra

October 13, 2024

Hi from Switzerland
Thinking of you and your family and friends

Wanda Hochhalter

October 31, 2012

Marney, I am so sorry for your loss. Colin and I were coffee buddies when he was at Target. Remembering his quirky sense of humor and creativity always brings a smile. He gave much, took little, and will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with you.

Heather Zavagli-Morse, RN

October 25, 2012

I knew Colin from Middle School and High School in Roscoe, Illinois. He was a great guy. In 8th grade our class went to DC and he made me laugh the entire trip. He had a great sense of humor. I found out of Colin having ALS from facebook and was very sadden to hear of that. He was always so active and a all around great guy. My thoughts go out to his wife and parents.

Julie Balamut

October 24, 2012

I met Colin when we were both board members of MN Distance Running Association. He was so laid back yet serious about the work of Board at the same time. I was in awe of his computer talents. Marney, I'm so sorry that I never met you. Right before your marriage to Colin, he was telling me how lucky he was to have found the love of his life and he couldn't wait to be with you. I didn't know that shortly after, Colin started his battle with ALS. Marney, to have someone love you so much says so much about you and my love and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of your Colin. He left a major mark on all of us and we are better for having known him.

October 22, 2012

George and Janet
So sorry to learn about Colin. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family as you heal from this loss.

Bob Early

Katherine Bowman

October 21, 2012

I went to Luther with Colin, but did not know him very well. I started looking at his blog a year ago and was amazed with how he used humor to deal with his illness. I have a memory of him from my freshman year at Luther--I was sitting inside a dorm room late at night participating in debauchery when I spotted him and a friend outside tossing around snowballs on a frigid night. This just fits with what has been written about him--he clearly was a guy who enjoyed life.

October 21, 2012

I went to Luther with Colin, but did not know him very well. I started looking at his blog about a year ago and was so amazed at the way he was able to use humor to deal with his illness. I have a memory of him from my freshman year--while I was sitting inside a dorm room participating in debauchery I saw him and friend outside tossing around snowballs on a frigid night. The memory just fits with what has been written--he was clearly a guy who enjoyed life.

October 21, 2012

Our heartfelt condolences to you, Marney,
at the loss of your husband, Colin. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Crestview Neighborhood Association
Steering Committee. MK

Megan Shelstad Dahl

October 21, 2012

I didn't know Colin well but I do remember I had Speech with him at Luther. He was the life of the class, very confident and vibrant. I always looked forward to his speeches. RIP buddy.

Christy and Doug Keele

October 20, 2012

We were so lucky to have known Colin at Luther College and are so saddened by your loss. We will continue to keep you all, Marney and family, in our thoughts and prayers

Sharon Hohler

October 20, 2012

Colin sounds like a wonderful person who lived every day of his short life with such joy!! Blessed be his memory!!

October 20, 2012

Dear Janet, George, Marney and Anna, So sorry for your loss of Colin. Our hearts are with you and our deepest sympathy. Susan and Frank Lilagren

October 20, 2012

Dear Janet, George, Marney and Anna, So sorry for your loss of Colin. Our hearts are with you and our deepest sympathy. Susan and Frank Lilagren

October 20, 2012

Dear Janet,George, Marnie and Anna, So sorry for your great loss. Our deepest sympathy and our hearts are with you. Susan and Frank Lilagren

October 20, 2012

Dear Marney, George, Janet and Anna,

We mourn Colin's passing. We knew him as a beautiful little boy and a gracious and generous young man but his memory will most be cherished in his Iron Man resolve, peppered with his indomitable sense of humor, with which he endured ALS. He is our hero! He was blessed to have Marney's wonderful care as well as the support of his family and friends everywhere.

Our love will always remain,
Aunt Teresa and Uncle Peter

October 20, 2012

Dear Marney, George, Janet and Anna,

We mourn Colin's passing. We knew him as a beautiful little boy and a gracious and generous young man but his memory will most be cherished in his Iron Man resolve, peppered with his indomitable sense of humor, with which he endured ALS. He is our hero! He was blessed to have Marney take such wonderful care of him as well as the support of his family and friends everywhere.

Our love will always remain,
Aunt Teresa and Uncle Peter

October 19, 2012

Dear Janet, George, Marnie and Anna,
We are deeply saddened by your loss. It is evident by the sympathy expressed by friends and family that Colin was a loving and wonderful person. We never loose the people we love. They live with us in our hearts.
With warm regards,
Helen and Joseph Szabo and family
West Hartford, CT

Steve & Connie Bainter

October 19, 2012

George, Janet, Anna,& Marney
Our deepest sympathy for your loss and may our prayers sent to you help to give you the strength to get through this difficult time

October 19, 2012

I am saddened to hear of Colin's passing. Colin was a student and athlete that I had the pleasure of having both in class and as a member of the track team at Hononegah. I still bring up Colin during team meetings as an example of what an athlete can do through desire and determination. It may surprise many that Colin was a 6'5" high jumper in high school, though his physical attributes at the time would contradict this feat. His willingness to put the time in to honing his techniques in that event certainly seem to have followed him through life.

Colin has always had my admiration. Truly a wonderful person to have known.

Tom Polaski, Head Track Coach
Hononegah High School
Rockton, IL

Judi Farrell-Booth

October 19, 2012

I'm so very sorry to learn of your loss. How sad to lose such a beautiful person. Please know many thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Michelle Anne Hololob

October 19, 2012

A great loss... I am so sorry Uncle George and Aunt Janet and Anna. My deepest condolences to all of you.

Joslyn (Hagstrom) Huntsman

October 19, 2012

I am truly saddened to hear of Colin's passing. He will always be a cornerstone of my memories growing up from grade school, all the way through high school! We had a lot of classes together and he was even the center of some grade school crushes of me and my friends! He was very funny and had so much talent! I hope your families can find some comfort from all of the great memories you were able to make with Colin during his short time with you.

Johanna Larson

October 19, 2012

I had the pleasure of assisting in the feeding of Ferdinand at one point. I never met Colin, but from what I have heard of him he was a wonderful young man and I am very sorry to hear of his passing.

Rebecca Salscheider

October 19, 2012

So sorry to hear this. Prayers go out to his family and friends.
Rebecca (Poseley) Salscheider
Class of 96

October 19, 2012

I worked at Target while Colin was there. I am so sorry for everyone's loss. He was a kind and funny person who was always smiling.

October 19, 2012

my thoughts are with you guys during this time. Janet, you must have written the obit (take good care of george). George, keep sculpting, Anna, stay the way you are.

Jodi (Wenner) Nixon

October 18, 2012

Dear Colin's Family and Friends,
I did not know Colin well but I recognized his smile as I saw it many times at Luther. I am so sorry for your loss! Thinking of all of you!

Blakeney Jones (Nichols)

October 18, 2012

So sad to hear this. I went to Luther with Colin and also worked at Target with him. My sister and I were in the Target Run Club with Colin and always tried to keep up with him on runs, although we never could. He will be deeply missed. Prayers go out to his family.

October 18, 2012

George and Janet,
So sorry to hear about Colin's passing...our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Andrea (Bainter) & Todd Abramson

Chelli Esser

October 18, 2012

I met Colin at Luther, but sadly I did not know him well. I remember him being very friendly, and I was sorry to hear of both his struggle and his passing. He clearly left a special legacy. Blessings to family and friends.

Terry Sovil

October 18, 2012

I knew Colin from the Organizational Effectiveness Group at Target. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. He was Colin.

Erin Freeman (Hamlett)

October 18, 2012

I am so saddened to hear that Colin has passed. I graduated from Hononegah with Colin and had many classes with him...what a truly nice guy. You are all in my thoughts. I'm so sorry.

October 18, 2012

meet colin in high school we become good friends, we lost touch over the years but still saddened by his passing!! u will never be forgotten. r.i.p Colin

Marcie Davidson-Koski

October 18, 2012

I am so sorry for your loss. I went to high school with Colin. He was one of the sweetest people I knew. I will pray for you and your family during this time. God bless.

Larry / Inger Braun

October 18, 2012

Dear Janet and George,
Inger and I are very proud to have met Colin and witness his years through high school and with his friends. It was fun to go out with the gang (Josh, Erik, Colin) to the Rockton pubs when Jason came home on leave. We are so sorry for this tragic loss. His Spirit lives on.

Audrey and Bill Stearns

October 18, 2012

My heart feels for you all!! Just want you to know we are thinking and praying for you.

Erin Leib (Henke)

October 18, 2012

I am so sorry to hear of Colin's long battle with ALS and his recent passing. I have not seen Colin in years, but grew up with him in Roscoe. He was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.

October 18, 2012

I barely knew Colin from Target, but had no idea he was also from my very small home town of Roscoe, Illinois. Though I am about 10 years older than him, I wonder if ever our paths crossed there or if my mom had him in school at Kinnikinnick? Either way, I wish I had known him personally - sounds like an amazing guy who will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Thoughts and prayers to all who grieve his loss.

Ellen (Barksdale) Jacks

October 18, 2012

I did not know him well, but we had several overlapping circles of friends in college. In the limited time that we raised a few pints, it was apparent that Colin was a good man. He will be missed. My condolences to his family and friends.

October 18, 2012

Marney,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I know it has been years, but I want you to know I'm praying for you and my heart goes out to you and your family.
Nate Stewart

Jennifer Ajsenberg

October 18, 2012

I don't know Colin, but as a former mortician, I wanted to share that he has the best obituary I have ever read and it sounds like he was a fun, good guy. My condolences to all who knew him!

Sally Robertson

October 18, 2012

Marney and all of Colin's Loved Ones: I'm sorry not to have known Colin, except by who was married to, but that let me know he was a great guy. His joie de vivre (as shown by his obituary)and the love to and from the people in his life allow us to smile and raise a glass to him in the midst of our great sadness.

October 18, 2012

I never met Colin, but came across his obit. The best obit I have ever read, and really seemed to capture this fun fellow. sympathys to family and friends...

Christie Koester

October 18, 2012

AMAZING guy. Roscoe and Minneapolis lost a GREAT person. My heart is heavy.

Caitlin Robertson

October 18, 2012

I'm so glad I had the pleasure of meeting Colin in Wadena in 2010. He was so kind, and seemed genuinely interested in people. Even though I only met him once, I feel like I knew him through Johanna and Marney. They admired and loved him so much and he will live on in their hearts and in all of the lucky peoples' hearts who were lucky enough to know him. Thinking of Colin's and Marney's families...and hoping they find comfort in their happy memories of Colin.

--With Peace and Love, Caitlin Robertson

Meghan Lien

October 18, 2012

I was lucky to have known Colin, witness (and sometimes participate alongside) his debauchery while at Luther and work with him at Target. This captures his awesome spirit. Marney, and Colin's family...I am so sorry.

October 18, 2012

Brother Pete lost a wonderful friend. His life is brighter and fuller for his time spent with Colin. We spent little time actually with Colin yet saw his presence in others. Our deepest condolences are with the many people touched by the endearing and enduring spirit of Colin.
John and Gayle Schonebaum

Christine Dippold

October 18, 2012

Anna and the entire Farbotko family - I am very sorry for your loss. I send you strength and love through this difficult time.

Kim and Kevin Frantz

October 18, 2012

We were lucky to have called him friend, and will miss him always.

Pete Sterud

October 18, 2012

Janet & George,
My heart goes out to you & your family.
Collin was a wonderful person. I am so glad I got to experience his life as I did. We got the call this morning from Erik. He is Hurting as well. All the Sterud's thoughts & Prayers are with you.
Love Always.
Pete

Emma Wilhelm

October 18, 2012

Colin would have loved this obituary. He was such a fun guy, and this really captures his spirit. May he rest in peace! My thoughts are with Marney, his family, and his friends this week.

October 18, 2012

Dear Janet, George, Anna & Marney. Our depest condolences to the lost of your Colin.
We are thinking of all of you from here in Switzerland/Europe.
Love, Bruno, Nicole & Sandra

Denny and Rose Flynn

October 18, 2012

Janet and George, we are so saddened to hear of Colin's passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

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