Lonnie Darrel Schipman was born September 20, 1948 to Helen and Darrel Schipman in Scobey, Montana. He was the second oldest of thirteen children.
As a young child, Lonnie grew up helping his dad and Marvin Brookman work and train Brookman rodeo stock.
Lonnie started Little Britches Rodeo at the age of ten, later, he went on to High School Rodeo. After high school, he went on to amateur rodeo across many states. At that time, he also purchased his Montana Rodeo Association card. In 1968, he purchased his first Pro Rodeo Card. Lonnie rode saddle broncs, bulldogged, rode bulls, and team roped. He excelled in all, and won many buckles. His most prized was winning Montana Rodeo Association Saddle Bronc Champion in 1975.
Lonnie married Donna Marie Gossen in October 14, 1967. They had three sons, Stacy, Shawn, and Shayne. They resided in Eastern Montana and Dillon. In 1996, they made their final move back to Sidney.
Lonnie loved helping anyone involved in rodeo. From giving pointers, setting a bronc saddle, or adjusting a bronc rein. He was the best coach for his boys whether it be rodeo or boxing. Lonnie worked many different jobs from running heavy equipment to ranch work. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.
One of Lonnie’s favorite past times was making his famous spurs, made out of horse shoeing rasps. He loved to tell you his list of Pro Rodeo cowboys and working cowboys who all wear his spurs. He loved to donate his spurs to help raise money at benefits for people.
If Lonnie wasn’t competing in rodeo, he was helping at the chutes. He pulled his first chute gate at the age of 14 and has been doing it ever since. One of his best pieces of advice, while he was working those chutes, was to say in his gruffest voice, “I don’t wanna see you get off till you hit that fence!”
In the last three years, Lonnie reconnected with a dear old friend, Vickie, who shared with the family stories of moving, branding and caring for the cows and horses.
There aren’t many people in the world that can say they’ve never done anyone wrong…but Lonnie can! He left everyone better than when he found them.
We are asking that if own a pair of Lonnie’s spurs, to please wear them to his service. If you are unable to attend, please wear them in whatever you might be doing at the time. We are curious to know how many pairs are out there. We ask that when you sign Lonnie’s book that you put spurs behind your name. If you cannot attend please text or call so we can get an idea of numbers. Thank you.
Lonnie is preceded in death by his parents Darrel and Helen, his wife Donna, his sister Sharla, and brother Landon. Lonnie is survived by: his sons, Stacey, Shawn (Racquel), and Shayne Schipman. Grandchildren: Jamie, Lauren, Jenna, Micah, Justin, Logan, Kendall, Gabe, and Wyatt. And, Lonnie’s special friend, Vickie Mecum. Lonnie’s siblings: Les (Barb), Lane (Mary Ann), Lee (Pam), Larry (Patty), and Lance Schipman, Joy(Roy) Neumiller, Onie (Rex) Taylor, Jaedee (Hardy) Braaten, Verda (Robert) Huber, and Sheena(Wayne) Hinniland, and many nieces and nephews.
Lonnie passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at his home from injuries from a fall.
Janet Beery
(Richey, mt)
Jun 13, 2019
BRENDA JONES
(JULIAN, NC)
Jun 13, 2019
Pat Denowh
(Apache Junction, Arizona)
Jun 13, 2019
Denise Strand Stambaugh
(Mancelona, Mi)
Jun 14, 2019
Crystal Stai
(Sidney, MT)
Jun 14, 2019
Valerie Baldwin (spurs)
(Richey, MT)
Jun 14, 2019
Tom Miller & family
(Rapid City, S Dak)
Jun 14, 2019
Destiny Dishon
(Savage, Montana)
Jun 14, 2019
Paula Solheim Morrison
(Loring, Mt)
Jun 15, 2019
Dan Neumiller
(Davenport, IA)
Jun 15, 2019
Cindy Tippett
(Sidney, Montana)
Jun 15, 2019
Joyce & Bill Ayre (spurs)
(Glendive, MT)
Jun 15, 2019
Vern and Jan Brost
(Richey, MT)
Jun 15, 2019
Tyler Barnes
(Dillon, MT)
Jun 15, 2019
Jackue Herbst
(Sudny, MT)
Jun 16, 2019
Louis nelson
Jun 16, 2019
Kathy and John Sellars
(Crane, Montana)
Jun 16, 2019
Les and Shelly Haugen
Jun 16, 2019
Dyke Boese
(Bismarck, ND)
Jun 17, 2019
Terri Rindahl
Jun 17, 2019
Tami Buyan-Wetsch
(Billings, MT)
Jun 17, 2019
Duane & Linda Anderson
Jun 17, 2019
Dave and Kay Matejovsky
(Wolf Point, Montana)
Jun 17, 2019
Daren and Erin Ellingson
(Sidney, MT)
Jun 17, 2019
Jim Lien
(Rapid City , South Dakota)
Jun 17, 2019
Pete Rising
(Wibaux, Montana)
Jun 17, 2019
Rollie and Lynne Miller
(Baker, MT)
Jun 19, 2019
Rochelle Berge Romo
(Bainville, MT)
Jun 20, 2019
Ida Grotte SPURS
(Williston, ND)
Jun 22, 2019
Brian Volbrecht
(Sidney, MT)
Aug 6, 2019