Benny Bendixsen

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John "Benny" Bendixsen. Benny passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, after complications following a surgery to combat a recent cancer diagnosis.

Born in Shelley, Idaho, on March 24, 1951, Benny was the middle child of Warren "Jack" Bendixsen and Leila Mary (Schwarze) Bendixsen. Benny had many fond memories of family and friends growing up and adventures in the foothills. He played a number of high school sports and played bass guitar in the church band. The love for playing guitar and singing was a fixture for his entire life.

Benny enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He served as a military policeman in Honolulu and was deployed to the Vietnam War. He was a mortar man, served in the Combined Action Program, and was an officer's driver. Among a number of accomplishments while serving, he was decorated for marksmanship and combat intelligence. Upon an honorable discharge, Benny adventured to Central America and Alaska before returning to the region.

While cowboying for Bruce Stanger, Benny met his future bride, Paula. Later on, they kept cattle for a season on the Gros Ventre in Wyoming. The two then returned to Shelley, ID to farm with his father, Jack. He also built up a sizable sheep herd that he grazed in the Caribou National Forest.

Wed in 1982, Benny and Paula welcomed their only child, Cap, in 1984. The family built a home south of Idaho Falls, where Benny sharecropped barley, wheat, and alfalfa, and raised beef, gaited horses, and bird hunting dogs. Benny also operated an outfitting operation in the Caribou National Forest, cowboyed for a cattle operation on Cherry Creek, and worked highway construction and reclamation before retiring.

Throughout his life, Benny loved the outdoors and the history of the Intermountain West. As many know, time spent with him on horseback, skiing, fishing, and on the road, were live history lessons. Among his favorite spots were riding and skiing in Harriman State Park, floating the South Fork of the Snake River, hunting in Caribou National Forest, downhill skiing at Targhee, the occasional golf game with friends, and any hot spring with a view. Benny had also proudly rode every horse trail in Yellowstone National Park. Paula was at Benny's side for nearly all his adventures, and the two of them truly danced and rode through the world for over 40 years.

Above all, Benny was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

He is survived by wife of 43 years, Paula Claire (Forbes) Bendixsen; his son, Casper "Cap" (Jill) Bendixsen; his sister, Dana (David) Harris; nephews, John, Dane, and Jay; and two beautiful granddaughters.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Shane Bendixsen; and his nephew, Tyler J. Harris.

A celebration of Benny’s life will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 4:00-8:30 p.m. at the Red Barn at 6535 S. Holmes Avenue in Idaho Falls, ID. Dress is casual with bright colors and floral patterns preferred.

Charitable gifts in Benny's name can be made to the Friends of Harriman State Park and would be very dear to his family.