Obituary of Ben Lewis Rand

Ben Lewis Rand was born on April 16, 1932 in Colby Kansas to Ben E. Rand and Rose Elaine Stevens.  Ben, at age 86, passed away May 10, 2018.  He lived in Kansas until his parents divorced in 1945.  He was raised by his great-Uncle, Ott Hofenstine in Arriba Colorado, where he attended school from first grade to eight grade, the 2 years vocational training for auto body repair.  He married Marjorie Gutzman in the Gutzman home on July 7, 1957 later divorced in 1989.

Ben was a Farmer laborer and auto mechanic/body repairman for over 50 years; greens keeper and maintenance man at Meadow Hills Golf Course in Aurora, Colorado from 1964-1974.  Ben was employed by Vern Jones of Arriba in the 50’s and 60’s, Ronnie Brent of Arriba in the 70’s early 80’s, and Wilbur Schreiber of Arriba for 20 years until he retired in 2002 at the age of 70.  In the early days, he enjoyed mechanic work for Everett Sylvester of Arriba.  His fondest memories were hanging out with the guys at Everett’s shop to drink coffee, tell stories, discuss the weather and occasionally get a little work done.  He left Arriba in 1962 and moved his wife and daughter to Aurora for training in Auto Body Repair and begin a partnership to open their own shop  This partnership did not take-off, and during the next three years he worked odd jobs to support the family, of which two sons were added. In 1965, the family moved to Parker and Ben worked at Meadow Hills Golf Course as well as doing auto mechanic/body work during his spare time to supplement the family income.  In 1974, the family returned to Arriba where he worked as a farm laborer as well as raising market hogs to once again supplement family income.  He retired in 2002 and lived-out his life in Arriba content to watch his grandkids and great-grandkids grow.

Ben is survived by his children; Julie Proctor (Dan) of Wellington, CO; Monte Rand (Sharon) of Arriba, CO; and Alan Rand of Tonapah, Arizona.  Eight grandchildren; Brandon Rand of Henderson, Nevada, Wesley Rand of Arriba, CO; Adam Haley of South Dakota, Kendra Brent of Genoa, CO; Clint Rand of Flagler, CO; Jason Rand of Arriba, CO; Bailey Rand of Utah, and Jennifer Rand of Tonapah, AZ.  Also survived by 10 great-grandchildren.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Ben Rand, Elaine Stevens, his grand parents; Lewis Rand, Hedwig Hofenstine, all his siblings, and a grandson Chad Haley.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Lincoln Community Care Center at P.O. Box 248 in Hugo, Colorado 80821. 

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 18, 2018 at 11:00a.m. at the Love Funeral Home Chapel in Limon, Colorado.  Also a reception to follow at the Limon Community Building in the north room at 477 D. Ave Limon, Colorado.