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Benjamin Scott Westenskow
10/09/1977 — 08/27/2009
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Provo, UT
Benjamin Scott Westenskow
Benjamin Scott Westenskow, 31, of Richland, passed away on August 27, 2009. He was born in Provo, Utah on October 9, 1977 to Milan D. Westenskow and Wendy L. Miller and was the oldest of four children. Ben grew up in several states and countries, including: Utah, Oklahoma, Colorado, Norway and Texas. He attended two years on scholarship at Brigham Young University and served an LDS Mission to the St. Petersburg, Russia Mission before settling into Richland for 11 years.
As a child, Ben loved to ride his bike, play with his siblings and neighborhood friends, play video games, foosball and loved to fish. He enjoyed visiting his grandparents in California and Oregon where he liked boogie boarding and fishing in mountain streams.
Ben was an outstanding student who graduated in the top 10 of his high school and earned a scholarship to college. He loved computers, video games, movies, music and nature as a way to relax. He enjoyed physical fitness and could be seen riding his Trek bicycle even in the midst of winter.
All who knew and loved Ben will remember his kind heart, soft word and unassuming attitude. He was always thinking of others and readily willing to help anyone in need.
Ben will be deeply missed and loved by his family, friends and those who enjoyed his wry wit, sweet smile and soft brown eyes.
He is survived by his father, Milan D. Westenskow West Richland, WA; mother, Wendy L. Miller Escondido, CA; sisters Carrie A. Monson New York City, NY and Molly M. Westenskow Pasco; brother, Andrew M. Westenskow Richland, WA; grandmother, Verda N. Westenskow La Grande, OR; grandfather, A. Clyde Miller Escondido, CA and grandmother, Carolyn M. Miller Escondido, CA
Ben was preceded in death by his grandfather, Alfred Westenskow.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 7:00pm at the LDS Paradise Chapel in W. Richland 4500 Paradise Ave., the corner of Bombing Range and Paradise Ave.. Friends and family are welcome to attend.
Im sad to see you leave so young… Im glad I was able to become your friend in our teens… until later…
Westenskow and Miller families,
I want to send the sincere sorrow of myself and my sisters as we heard the news of Ben’s passing. We are so sorry.
We hope the Lord will help you through this hard time.
We have sweet memories of your family in Norway.
We send our love,
Amyjoy Price, Melody Cullen, and Julie Reynolds Anderson girls
May your faith and the love of family and friends comfort you at this time.
Our family sends its love and prayers to all of you grieving for the loss of Ben. We remember the good times in the midst of this dark time. Fondly, Carol
The last time I saw Ben was when he returned from his mission in ’98. He was really sick and hated being in the spotlight so all I got was a hug and then he moved away with his family and I never saw him again. But we always kept in touch. We had instant messenger and email and 3 hour long phone conversations. He was always there for me when I needed him most. He would patiently listen to all my problems while never wanting to burden me any of his own.
He kept how sick he was from me until right before he died. And I wept when he told me and that’s probably why he didn’t tell me for so long because he didn’t want me to worry. He didn’t want anyone to worry about him.
What I loved most about Ben, and there was so much to love, was that he never, ever had an unkind word to say about anyone. Sure people frustrated him sometimes but he was the most non-judgmental person I knew. He just dealt with so much, with so much grace, for so long…
I am so honored to have loved him and to have been loved by him. I haven’t actually seen Ben in 11 years. But I still consider him one of my very best friends. Our friendship withstood a messy breakup, a two year mission, and living over 2,000 miles apart. He is the most beautiful person I have ever had the privilege to know and I will miss him for the rest of my life.
Milan, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
Dear Milan,
my most sincere thoughts are with you in these very hard circumstances for you and your family.
Please accept our sympathies.
Michel
Milan and family, We are remembering you in our prayer. I remember teaching Ben in church and the kind, quiet young man that he was. We know he will be missed.
Milan and family – my prayers go out to you all, and may God sustain you and yours and wrap you in His arms. I am so very sorry for the loss of your son.
I’m so sad to hear about Ben. He was such a kind and shy little boy.My heart goes out to all his family.Karlene and Steven Goeringer
My favorite memories of Ben are from our Church youth trip in the summer of 1994. We had such a good time, and it was great to get to know Ben in that type of setting long road trip, a baseball game in St. Louis, Church history sites, crazy nights in hotels, etc. I’m sure that everyone who went on that trip remembers something different, but I’m also sure that everyone has a favorite memory of Ben from that week or two. Since he was a fairly quiet and private guy, most of us didn’t know him super well before that trip. I remember being so bummed that I hadn’t known him well before, because he was so funny and such a great guy.
Unfortunately for me, I left on my two year mission shortly after that trip and didn’t get to build on our friendship like I wanted. We had some contact after he got home from his mission, but we haven’t talked in years. I guess life gets busy, and it’s hard to keep up with everyone. But not staying in touch with Ben is a huge regret for me. That’s definitely my loss.
To Ben’s whole family, my heart broke for you when I heard the news. My prayers are with you during this difficult time, and I hope for all of God’s most tender mercies to be upon you.
Rest in peace, friend.
I remember Ben from when he was in Texas. He was a very soft spoken person and a very good friend. He was someone that you knew you could trust and who would always be there for you.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May your faith, family and friends comfort you at this time.
Our heartfelt prayers of love and comfort are offered for your family during this difficult time. May God give you peace and strength.
Please accept my sincere condolensces. I was in the meeting when Ben reported back from his mission. He truly touched my heart that night. All my love to his family
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Benjamin Scott Westenskow