Best Obituary Ever

Colin Yurek Farbotko

Farbotko, Colin Yurek 34, succumbed to ALS on October 15, 2012, after 6 years of valiantly fighting the debilitating effects of the vile disease. 

Colin was born on August 13, 1978 to George and Janet Farbotko. Surprisingly to anyone who knew him later in life, Colin was a mild-mannered and well-behaved child, especially in contrast to his rebellious younger sister Anna. His formative years instilled in him a drive for creativity and out-of-the box thinking. 

Upon graduation from Hononegah High School (Roscoe, IL), Colin entered Luther College in Decorah, Iowa for four years of typical adolescent male debauchery. During college he and his father sculpted giant works of snow art, placing in competitions as far away as Switzerland. Graphic artistry, drinking, naked soccer, and other (thankfully clothed) sports occupied much of his time. It was at Luther where Colin met great friends Kevin Frantz, Pete Schonebaum, and many other good Luther friends. He also met a young lady, Marney Olson, who would someday become his future wife. Colin graduated with degrees in art and communications and moved to Minneapolis, MN to pretend to be a grown-up. 

Colin provided creative graphic, web and video design work for Target, Inscape Publishing, and also did freelance work. He was an unapologetic Mac snob. He spent much of his bachelorhood biking and running around Minneapolis lakes and parks and entering local races. He participated in and completed the Wisconsin Ironman Triathlon. During the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in 2004, he re-met Marney when she recognized and cheered for him during the race. They began dating immediately and were married on April 1, 2006 (no joke). 

Colin loved Marney and his family and friends, good local craft beer (especially Surly), the Four Firkins, whiskey and gin, every kind of seafood and edible delicacy such as caviar, foie gras and tongue. Colin also enjoyed grilling on his back deck with friends, running, biking, skiing, double entendres, the Simpsons, The Jayhawks and other music, the Internet and being creative. He disliked bad drivers, people who talk in movie theaters and ALS. 

Friends and admirers are invited to gather together to raise a glass in honor of Colin on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Local, 931 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, from 12 - 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The ALS Association MN/ND/SD Chapter, 333 North Washington Ave. Suite 105, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

Published in Star Tribune on October 18, 2012