Benjamin (Benny) R. Cottle

Benjamin (Benny) R. Cottle died peacefully at home in Wasilla, Alaska, surrounded by his family on March 18, 2023.

Benny was born on October 15, 1933, to John and Della Cottle from Riddlesburg, Pennsylvania. His father died when he was very young leaving his mother with 7 children. He moved to Wasilla in the winter of 1948 driving the Alcan with his stepdad Vincent Smith, who they called Pap. Benny, with his brothers Jerry, Rodney, and Richard, lived in the homemade truck camper, building a small cook shed from logs to start their homestead. Benny worked at Teeland Country Store while in school, making it to the 8th grade before heading out on his own.

Benny married his wife, Marlene, in 1952 and they enjoyed 71 years together. They bought 110 acres in Wasilla and built a small home out of stacked railroad ties where they lived with their three children while building their current home. He also enjoyed driving the activity bus while their children were in school.

Benny drove truck for the CO-OP delivering milk to Fort Richardson and other locations. He served in the Alaska Territorial Guard for two years. He and his wife bought their first flatbed truck to haul potatoes, getting a loan from the ARRC.

Benny was an entrepreneur who commuted to work at the Jonesville coal mine, with his truck to deliver coal in the evenings. He started the first garbage hauling business in Wasilla, later teaming up with his brother Jerry and together they built Cottles Fuel and Trucking into a successful business. Several years later they built the first self-service gas station in Wasilla.

The only equipment Benny kept after selling his business was his beloved loader that he used to plow snow in winter and for dirt work in the summer. Going to lunch was another favorite activity with many of the city’s problems discussed and solved at those round table meetings. He was an active member of Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, Pioneers of Alaska, Elks Club and served as a board member for MEA and MTA.

Marlene and Benny made many trips down the Alcan to the states but coming home was always a joyous occasion for Benny as he did not like to be away from Wasilla for very long. Caring for their large yard and clearing trees was a great passion of his. Later they split up their homestead and sold parcels that became Fire station #65, Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, a medical complex and business offices.

Benny was one of the original people who started the Wasilla Volunteer fire department and was the longest serving member from 1960 to 2022.

Benny was preceded in death by his son, Bert Cottle and is survived by his wife, Marlene Cottle; children Janet Stannard (Bill), Henry Cottle (Claudia), daughter in law Cathy Cottle; grandchildren Jennie Weber(Ray), Billy Stannard (Erika), Derek Cottle (Rachael) Vincent Cottle, Kelsey Graber(Eli), Benjaman Cottle; great grandchildren Adam, Andrew, James, Ellen, Gatlin, Opal, Harper.

The celebration of life will be held at Station 62 on Knik Road April 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donation of small or medium stuffed animals be brought to the memorial or delivered to local fire stations. These items will be distributed to first responders for emergency situations involving children.