Gwen Berry
Myrin Bentz, a long-time member of the High Prairie community, died on June 29, 2024, at the age of 88. Although Myrin and his wife, Audrey, moved from High Prairie five years ago, they hold an outsize place in the memories of people who knew them here. They are an integral part of the last three decades of High Prairie history.
Everything Myrin and Audrey did was imbued with a solid faith, high energy, compassion, and social involvement. They were universally welcoming and friendly. Many a newcomer had Myrin and Audrey to thank for a smooth entrée into the High Prairie community.
The accompanying article (below) by Doug Taylor, published in an early issue of the High Prairian, gets to the heart of what Myrin and Audrey meant to High Prairie. Fortunately, our community was blessed with their presence and enthusiasm for many years after Doug’s article was written.
Myrin was a pastor, a husband and father, a fisherman, a storyteller, a sausage maker, a gardener, a host, a friend, a community figure – all of those and much more. Everyone who knew him has unique stories and memories of what made Myrin special.
Myrin’s obituary can be read at https://www.highprairie.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/e-Myrin- Bentz-obituary.pdf. A private burial was held at White Eagle Preserve in the hills outside of Goldendale, with a memorial service on August 17 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Portland.
A video of the service is available at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=g6vZs2LzAlM or search YouTube for Pastor Myrin Bentz Memorial Service.”
