Harvey Vern Bohnet

March 4, 1933 – August 7, 2023

In the early morning of Aug. 7, 2023, Harvey Vern Bohnet, 90, with his wife Katherine at his side, finished his long journey through life. It was filled with many triumphs and traumas.

He was born March 4, 1933, to Fred Bohnet and Bertha Schuh Bohnet on the family farm south of Hartline, Washington. He barely survived his birth, and that resulted in being affected with cerebral palsy. He joined a brother Harold, and four years later his sister Doris was born.

When he was 7 his mother died, and her death had an impact throughout his life. Friends told his father about Shriners Hospital in Spokane. The surgery there on his affected arm and leg enabled him to walk independently. He never forgot the loving care he received then and later as a teenager. In 1942, they moved to a farm north of Wilson Creek.

Harvey was blessed with help and love from some very special people during his life. George Rosenberg, a bachelor, was the 4H leader in Wilson Creek. Harvey joined the club and with George’s help learned how to raise and show first a pig and then many steers. George and his brother raised cattle, and Harvey bought his young steers from them. All his hard work paid off, and he had grand champions at Grant County Fair, the District Fair in Waterville and the Junior Livestock Show in Spokane. These were very happy times for him. Later Harvey assisted George as a leader and was one in his own right for many years.

Harvey graduated from Wilson Creek High School in 1951 and helped his dad on his farm and drove tractor for several others.

One of his biggest blessings was meeting Aaron ”Bud” Hirschel when he was in the third grade after moving to Wilson Creek. Bud and his parents gave him loving support from then on.

In 1959 Bud was engaged to Judy Moyer who was attending WSU. Judy had become friends with Katherine Sebastian, a fellow student and dorm mate. Bud and Judy decided she should meet Harvey. Kathy went home to Stratford with Judy to spend the weekend. The blind date was to be in the evening. In the morning Kathy was helping sort cows and calves, standing in the manure in her cowboy boots with her hair in rollers to be ready for the evening blind date. Up drove Bud with Harvey. He later said, “I thought she couldn’t be half bad if she was willing to get in the manure and help with the cows.” After Harvey made many trips to Pullman, they were married on Aug. 20, 1960.

On March 6, 1962, Tamara Jean was born. She was joined by Todd Alan on Oct. 16, 1964, followed by twins Ryan Lee and Katrina Ann on Jan. 18, 1972.

In 1966 our family’s life changed. We had been surviving on what Harvey made working as a hired man for several farmers. Bud Hirschel visited and said he and his parents wanted us to rent their dryland farm. He and Judy had bought an irrigated farm. They let us pay for the equipment as we could. We paid it off, and in 1969 we bought Harvey’s dad’s farm and moved there.

Life was filled with farming, 4H (both Harvey and Kathy were leaders), boating, and kids’ activities.

In August 1979 Harvey lost his good arm in a farm accident and many rough years followed, but he persevered with family support and returned to farming and life.

Horses have always been a part of our lives. After attending a draft horse plowing event, we decided to host a draft horse and mule plowing event at our farm. We continued to do this for 25 years.

Antique cars were another interest, especially the 1955 Packard Harvey loved. We joined the Columbia Basin Carriage Club in Ephrata and took part in activities and trips for many years. He also enjoyed traveling and camping in our various RVs throughout the years.

Mobility became a challenge in his later years, and in his final year and a half, he resided at May Valley Adult Family Home where he received wonderful loving care.

Harvey was predeceased by his father Fred, his mother Bertha, his brother Harold and his brothers-in-law Edwin Jasman, Bill Hancock, and Mark Hanson.

He is survived by his wife Katherine and sister Doris Jasman, his children Tamara (Paul) Walker, Todd (Karen) Bohnet, Ryan (Terri) Bohnet and Katrina (Scott) Walker; and grandchildren Seth (Ruth) Walker, Paul (Lyssa) Walker Jr., Megan Walker (Clint) Peters, Taylor (Megan) Bohnet, Randy Bohnet, Logan (Laeli) Bohnet and Riley (Ashley) Walker. His surviving great-grands include Seth’s children Annelise and Grant; Paul Jr.’s son Walter, Megan’s children Conagher and Wyatt, Taylor’s sons Lucas and Charles, Logan’s sons Ezra and Eli and Riley’s daughter Stevie.

Also surviving are sisters- and brothers-in-law Sylvia Hancock, Richard Sebastian, Martha (George) Moyer, John (Rose) Sebastian, Annette Hanson, Doug (Laurie) Sebastian, and Lori (Bill) Frymier and many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.

There will be a celebration of Harvey’s life in the shop at the farm on Sept. 23 from 2 to 6 p.m. It will be a time of visiting and sharing memories and food.