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Dorothy Jensen and family planted 3 trees in memory of Gabriel Benson
Sunday, March 10, 2024
3 trees were planted in memory of
Gabriel William Benson
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With our deepest sympathy. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Anonymous planted 5 trees in memory of Gabriel Benson
Thursday, June 15, 2023
5 trees were planted in memory of
Gabriel William Benson
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Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Anonymous planted 3 trees in memory of Gabriel Benson
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
3 trees were planted in memory of
Gabriel William Benson
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Jim Cihlar posted a condolence
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Gabe was the first undergraduate to serve on staff of Howling Bird Press. He worked with us for two years, and helped build our profile and establish our procedures, in addition to contributing to the editing and publishing of our books. He was a bright and kind, wise beyond his years, with a generous spirit. He was a trailblazer and a spokesperson and a wordsmith, with an on-target BS-detector, a rich sense of humor, and a sharp sense of style. Gabe was fearless and loved by many. He is deeply missed.
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Beth Gravley posted a condolence
Saturday, June 17, 2023
My deepest sympathies to you, John and Jill, and all of Gabe's family and friends. My heart goes out to you! May God give you strength and comfort in this tragic loss.
Beth Gravley (former Ridgewater colleague)
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Ann Benson posted a condolence
Friday, June 16, 2023
To John and Jill and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You obviously instilled in your son a great motivation for education and creativity! Prayers for comfort are headed your way, and may you be surrounded by family and friends who loved him and can share memories to keep forever. Give yourselves lots of grace in the grief journey with many hills and valleys. I highly recommend a GriefShare group when you are ready. (Griefshare.org) Sincerely, Ann Benson (work colleague, not related!) :)
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Marcia and David Carlson posted a condolence
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Dave and I are so very sorry to hear about Gabe. We’re Jay’s parents and friends of Serah’s. We’ve heard so many wonderful stories about your family from Jay and from Serah during their time together at St Olaf. We’re sending prayers of comfort for your family during this unimaginably difficult time. Dave and Marcia Carlson
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Jordyn Robarge uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, June 15, 2023
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My most precious and beloved Gabriel
There’s hundreds of things I could say about Gabe. He was the most loving, loyal, empathetic, and gentle person I have ever known. Brilliant, artistic, a great writer, and a true aesthete. A great friend to all who considered him one. He was courageous, fabulous, and beautiful. You didn’t have to know Gabe for more than three seconds to know he was the funniest person to ever live. He laughed loudly, and often.
Gabe was GAY and PROUD, and led by example what it meant to be happy and queer. Despite facing adversity in professional spheres regarding his expression, he never compromised who he was for the comfort of bigots.
I could talk about the hundreds of ways that knowing Gabe deeply changed my life. He helped me learn to love myself, to have patience with my life, to hold myself through painful times. How to make big changes without apology, because you can trust yourself and your decisions.
I could talk about how special my friendship with Gabe was. As I’m sure you’ve all noticed, Gabe had dozens of friends whom he cherished. I always felt blessed to be one of them. He always asked me about the mundanities of my life, how my day was, how I was feeling. He would text me out of the blue to tell me how much he loved or missed me. He made me feel lovable, even in the exhausting day to day of what it means to really know someone. He always gave the best compliments, and reminded me of how beautiful I was even when I didn’t feel it.
Due to the nature of his career, Gabe and I talked extensively about death and dying. He always came to the same conclusion- no time was promised and all that was important was living everyday to its fullest potential. He was always very good at that. He lived much more in 26 years than most ever will.
I really can’t imagine my life without him. I love him so much. He was my favorite person. Whenever I was having issues I felt were existential or impassable, Gabe would share this quote with me (one of his favorites).
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”
Rainer Maria Rilke
Rest in PRIDE, best friend
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Karen Alexander posted a condolence
Thursday, June 15, 2023
I'll always remember Gabe for the chats we had in Augsburg's library about newly published novels. It was a pleasure to have him as a student worker in the library, and it meant a lot to us that he stopped in for some of our gatherings even after he graduated. I was so excited for him to pursue his mortuary career, since he seemed to have a strong sense of calling for it. He was a bright light in this world while he was here, and he's gone way too soon. My heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends.
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Christina Robarge posted a condolence
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Gabe you were Jordyn's best friend. Bestie, soulmate, nothing in English quite explains your unique closeness. Love is the only thing that even comes close. You will forever be in her heart.
To me you were the guy who came to my house with a bag full of goodies from Target for facials and snacks to watch the Oscars when Jordyn was sick. You had the biggest personality of anyone I know. You were funny as hell. You were the only one that could talk longer than Jordyn for hours and hours about absolutely anything and absolutely nothing. I am not surprised you had a larger than normal heart, that is exactly what I would expect - you had the biggest heart for people, which made you uniquely suited for your chosen profession.
To Gabe's mom and dad: Thank you for giving my daughter the best friend she'll ever have. I am endlessly sorry for your loss. Praying for you every day.
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Terrisha Harris lit a candle
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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I wanted to send my condolences to Gabe family. Gabe helped my family and I arrange services for my mom's funeral that took place this last Friday. Gabe is a true person of his spirit that helped you find your way of you were lost and which my was and still is. Gabe had alot in common with my family which shocked us both. Being from Willmar like my mom was and Gabe birthday is 2 days before mine and he also was the same age my brother was when he got his wings . I'm very heart broken to get the news when we were having service for my mom and Gabe was looking forward to being there sharing this with my family and also looking forward to those Swedish meatballs. Gabe you are a true angel and there will never be a person like you. You helped us in such a difficult time and our family would like to help your family. May you rest in peace.
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Kristine Joseph lit a candle
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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I met Gabriel while I was studying for my MFA at Augsburg University. He was a student worker for our department. Yes, he was a great worker, but what I remember most is how he took the time to get to know all of us students and our work. Such a great soul. He will be missed. Sending thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Kristine Joseph
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Audrey Campbell lit a candle
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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Such tragic news! Gabe & I became friends when we both were working on The Echo student newspaper during our time at Augsburg. His energy, passion, humor and kindness lit up every room we were in. His energy was infectious in the best way and I’ll forever remember how sincere he was. I’ll miss him so much. I’m sending Gabes family & friends so much love during this unexpectedly tragic moment.
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Janessa lit a candle
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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I can't remember exactly when I met Gabe, but he radiated compassion and energy into every moment we were together.
He was so wise, leading our friend group (many of us a few years older than him) through high school, on the speech team, and in musical performances. My senior year, we competed in the same category of Speech - Extemporaneous Reading - and had fun swapping first- and second-place awards on a near-weekly basis. When we got to the section meet, we went head-to-head in the final round. Gabe beat me by two points. I've never, ever been so proud to be beaten before - or since! Witnessing Gabe's dedication to his craft and humility as a teammate made all of us better.
While we didn't keep in touch much after high school, his Snapchat stories always shared such joy as he lived most vivaciously. Our last conversation included a few book recommendations and reminiscing about high school pep band - thank you Gabe for continuing to be a friend who was willing to share in all of the ups, downs, and learning curves of life. ❤️
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Otylia Markham lit a candle
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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Gabe was truly one of a kind, there really aren't words to describe what a force he was. I got to know Gabe through my time in the Mortsci program and it was such a treat. I remember distinctly a day he came into one of the law classes and sat next to me. Out of nowhere in Gabe-esque fashion he said, while looking at his computer "Have you played Wordle today?" I responded, "I have no idea what you're talking about." to which he gasp shocked and responded "GIRLLLLL, you haven't heard of WORDLE???" It was such a sweet moment and after that I did try to play and epically failed even after he had told me the rules in extensive detail. When he saw I failed he assured me I would get it the next day. Gabe always showed me love and compassion and I will miss him so dearly. He was a true treasure to his friends and family.
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Maddie lit a candle
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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Rest In (fabulous) Peace, my dear friend and coworker. The world is less bright without you here. Gabe will be fondly remembered for his compassion, witty remarks, keen style, outstanding service to families in need, and for never compromising his authenticity. I will forever miss your real takes on life, the jokes when work was rough, our heart-to-hearts, and being greeted by your beautiful smile every morning at work. I always admired how you went the extra mile without question, and truthfully, you were one of the best in our field. There really isn't anyone quite like you, Gabe. As we'd say when we shut the door between our shared office space for arrangements; "See ya on the other side".
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Mia Pariseau uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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There are no words to describe who Gabe was. Gabe was the truest friend anyone could ever ask for. He would always show up for you, support you, and loved so fiercely. There was no room Gabe was ever in where he didn’t command it. The first time we met was in Mort Sci school, and he told me that he felt like we knew each other in a past life. Gabe felt like we needed to be friends, because he felt that he had always known me. While I thought that was a silly thing, in a way I felt I had always known him too. Some of my fondest memories were sitting with him and my friends trying to study for our Boards. He would always come up with some bizarre complicated way to try and remember all of our terminology. When I was taking the boards, I would hear his voice in my head singing songs he made or stories he created in attempts to remember what terms meant. I do not think I would be a funeral director today if it wasn’t for him. The last photo was taken 3 days before he passed. & that is how I will always remember him; drink in hand with a big smile.
All my love to his friends and family.
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Megan Schlesiger uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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Gabe was always the bright spot of our college friend group! He gave the warmest hugs and biggest laughs. Him being a guest at my wedding was a highlight of our day. I am eternally grateful for his attendance and love.
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Alex Kish posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Spent 2 years of college at Minnesota with Gabe and while he and I were very different people, I still always loved being around him. He made each class we shared so much more enjoyable and light-hearted. It was a pleasure to know him for the time I did and hope all who knew him can look back on the times he made them smile.
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Katrina Modtland-Rice lit a candle
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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Katrina Modtland-Rice posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
I would like to send my condolences to Gabe's family and friends. He was just the most outgoing person i have met as I only got to know him very recently from Cremation Society when he set up my mothers service at his work location. It broke my heart to learn he has gained his wings and will be forever in my heart.
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Sevin Antley posted a symbolic gesture
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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Gabe and I graduated together from mortuary science, we started our internships at the same time, and we've probably spent a couple hundred hours together studying for the boards and just having a lively, LOUD (affectionately), and lovely time with our mutual friends. Its hard to hold onto friendships after school, but Gabe and the little group of us that stuck together never felt like a struggle to keep close- we're a group of queer students who love and protect one another and its hard to articulate how massively our Gabe's loss has impacted us. It's like looking in a mirror and seeing your front tooth had been knocked out when you weren't looking and now its just gone, if it were up to Gabe he'd want us to get a shiny gold tooth to fill in the gap I'm sure.
How can I even say goodbye to you Gabe? It's, ironically, pretty hard for morticians to get time off to go to the funerals of our loved ones- but there's no world in which we don't go and see him off and hopefully the hands of his friends can help guide him wherever he's going. Nothing will ever make this better, nothing can heal a young life taken, the best we can do is live a vibrant life full of compassion, activism, and the driving urge to do good while we're here and hope it sticks. You will never be forgotten, my friend.
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Samantha McMahon uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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Gabe was one of the most personable and lovable humans I have had the pleasure to know. His bright energy was contagious and you couldn’t help but have a big smile on your face after interacting with him. His sense of humor was my personal favorite part of him.He was such a special friend and I will never forget the kind of person he was to myself and to so many others. Love you so much Gabe. The world surely won’t be the same without you in it.
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Sarah Huynh posted a symbolic gesture
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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My condolences to the family and everyone that knows Gabe well. I had him in a couple of classes at the UMN and he was very bubbly and I love his style that he brings every time I see him at school. He will be missed. ❤️
A Memorial Tree was planted for Gabriel Benson
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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The family of Gabriel William Benson uploaded a photo
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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The family of Gabriel William Benson uploaded a photo
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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