Benn Vincent Splawn Obituary (2024)

Benn V. Splawn was born on July 9, 1946, to Lauren and Vivian Splawn (Bowen), in Yakima, Washington. The Splawns were ancestors of the first pioneers in the Valley. He passed away on February 8, 2024. He started out as a young cowboy on a broomstick horse, named Shorty. Shorty was just the first of many of Benn's horses. He played baseball all his young life. He hunted birds on Ahtanum Creek with his dog, Snip, and his brother, Bill. Benn graduated from West Valley High School in 1965. Much of Benn's life was spent on horseback, working area cattle ranches. He also worked many years for Beatty and Sanger Logging. He retired as a heavy equipment operator from Herke Rock in 2014. As an avid horseman, he participated in rodeos throughout his life. Team roping was his specialty. He practiced long and hard and won many belt buckles for his efforts. Benn married Carol Kloster and together they raised their daughter, Laura, in the big stone house west of the Ahtanum Mission. He loved that part of his life. He could cross the creek and ride onto the Reservation. He would pull Laura on her sled behind his horse, through the pasture, until they were tired and cold. Laura wasn't much into riding horses, but she loved to braid the tail and groom her horse. They eventually moved to their home on Rutherford Road. In 2012, Benn married Patty Jeffery (Hennessy), which included her children and extended family. They made their home in Moxee, before moving back to West Valley. Upon retirement, Benn did many things. He enjoyed his cruise to Alaska. He was able to go crabbing in Puget Sound. He loved October Fest in Leavenworth, family dinners, barbecuing in his apron, and some Pendleton Whiskey. He also enjoyed spending summers in Conrad Meadows moving cattle. Laura and Dave gave Ben the granddaughters, Aislynn and Gwendolyn, he loved beyond words! He loved being "Papa." He would tease them unmercifully. They always shared a quart of DQ ice cream and three red spoons. Benn was a strong man with a tender heart, rich in every way that mattered. He shared his colorful, engaging sense of humor filling the room with his infectious laughter along with his sidekick, Dolly. If you came to his front door, he was always glad to see you and made you glad you came. Benn loved the Seahawks, the Mariners, Gunsmoke and John Wayne. Until his death, he never believed that Marian was John Wayne's name. He is survived by his wife, Patty, and her family. He is also survived by his daughter, Laura (David) Liebert, and granddaughters, Aislynn and Gwendolyn, his sisters, Tita Mellon, and Dolly Splawn, and numerous nieces and nephews. Benn is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Deanie Splawn, and Felicia Holtzinger, his brothers, Bill Splawn, and David Melero. A Memorial Service for Benn will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 2:00pm, at the Wiley Union Church in Wiley City. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.