Marla Jo Bennett

Marla Jo Bennett was born at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, on March 15, 1952. She was the first child born to Bernard A. and Irene R. Bennett.

Marla spent her early years in Spokane, Yakima, Medford and Ephrata. In 1962, her family moved to Salem, Oregon, where she graduated from Salem Academy in 1970. In 1971 she moved to Burien, where in 1975 she graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree from Community Chapel Bible College.

Marla and her husband, Fred Langford, served in Christian ministry for 20 years in Kirkland. In 1999 she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Washington State University in Pullman with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Management.

Upon graduation, Marla was hired by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife to oversee wild horse management at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada. She and husband, Larry Ferguson, remained in Nevada until her transfer to Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Oregon and she later transferred to Columbia National Wildlife Refuge in Othello.

While working as a Wildlife Refuge Specialist, Marla contracted Lyme disease. Complications from this condition forced her to retire in February 2015. At that time she moved to Ritzville to live with her sister Rena and help care for their mother.

While living in Ritzville, Marla remained committed to the Othello Foursquare Church where she faithfully served under Pastor Bob and Kelly Cox in the prayer and worship ministries.

Marla passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on March 13 due to cardiac arrest as a result of long-term complication of Lyme disease.

Marla was preceded in death by her father, Bernard Bennett. She is survived by her mother Irene of Medical Lake; her sister Rena (Dale) Brown of Ritzville; her brother Byrne (Denise) Bennett of Medical Lake; her sister Janna Bennett of Ritzville; and her brother Linh (Tami) Bennett of East Wenatchee. She is also survived by nieces Julianne Brimmer, Darcy Brown, Amy McCaddon, Lindy Brown Swanger and nephews Laif McCaddon and Micah Brown.

Marla led an uncommon, remarkable life. When she was a small child, her grandfather, Henry Mann gave her a rubber worm, which she affectionately named Henry Anna.

She soon developed a fascination for real worms and bugs. Marla enjoyed raising guinea pigs, dogs and even ants in an ant farm.

While in grade school, she earned enough money from picking strawberries that she was able to purchase her first horse, Flip.

Marla was inspired by God’s creatures. Throughout her life she was their protector and advocate. While working for the government, Marla stood against policies of her agency that resulted in the inhumane treatment of wild horses on federal lands and ultimately rescued Red, a blind, wild mustang, whom she cared for until his death.

Marla was an inquisitive life-long learner and expert biologist who could identify and describe countless species of birds and plants. She spent hours sitting in fields watching birds and was always ready to dissect any animal scat she might encounter.

Marla also was an exceptional musician, artist and writer.

She played the piano and violin and as a child was a member of the Salem Junior Symphony. She enjoyed drawing and painting wildlife and creating whimsical greeting cards.

Most of all, Marla loved God and devoted her life to Him. There was nothing pretentious about her. She was optimistic and ever the encourager, even in the midst of her own suffering.

A social gathering honoring Marla will be held at 4 p.m. on March 25 at the Ritzville Foursquare Church, 204 East Second Avenue, followed by a Celebration of life service at 6 p.m.