The Wrangler Horse and Rodeo News

team roping Michael D. Lenning 1962-2013 Michael Duane Lenning was born in Billings on Sept. 22, 1962, to Duane and Shirley (Walrod) Lenning. Mike passed away on the longest day of the year, June 21, 2013, at his home in Billings. Mike was raised on his grandfather's ranch south of Columbus, and attended school in Columbus through his junior year, moving to Billings and graduating with the Billings Senior High School class of 1981. Growing up in a rodeo family, Mike's love of rodeo started at an early age. Always the competitor, Mike competed at all levels of the sport, starting his career at the junior rodeo level, through high school and NIRA, and ultimately the PRCA. Mike capably worked five events, including the bareback riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping and bull riding, and was honored with many year-end awards and championships at all levels. Mike attended college on rodeo scholarships at Eastern Wyoming College at Torrington, Wyo., Montana State University at Bozeman, and graduated with a degree in AgriBusiness from Oklahoma Panhandle State University at Goodwell, Okla. In later years, he worked construction, belonging to Laborer's 66 International Union of North America Local 1686 in Billings. Mike belonged to the Masonic Lodge of Hamilton. He had a smile for everyone, and his friends and family meant the world to him. Mike is survived by his father, Duane of Columbus; his brother, Mitch and his wife Allison of Worden; his nephews, Charlie C. Lenning of Columbia Falls, C.M. (Little Charley) Lenning of Worden; niece, Lisa and husband Ryan Lien and their children of Billings; girlfriend Denise Cooper; special friends Robyn Brennan and Don Hurley; his aunt, Delores Terpstra and uncle Jim Walrod. Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley; grandparents Hank and Liz Lenning and Lucille Umstead; and uncles Dean Walrod and Richard Lenning. A celebration and remembrance of Mike's life was held on Tuesday, July 9, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., in Billings. Memorials may be made to the Larry Jordan Cowboy Crisis Fund at the Northern Rodeo Association Office, Box 1122, Billings, MT 59103. Condolences may be made online at www.michelottisawyers.com. Thoughts from Above… By Levi Britton Levi and Doc about to stop the clock! Wants and Needs In this blessed country we live in, we have so much, so many material things, so many privileges; it is easy for us to lose our focus on reality when it comes to wants and needs. With so, so many of our "needs" met, it is admittedly very easy to start in on wants, without even realizing it. I want to expose to you, the reader, to a modern day, current, genuine need, that exists in the small town of Lodge Grass, Montana. Lodge Grass is located in the heart of the Crow Indian Reservation, which is a 100 miles South of Billings Montana and runs all the way to the Wyoming State Boarder. Lodge Grass is big time grass and cattle country. Native Indian Ranchers run their pairs in every direction and there is enough grass left over to afford grazing by a host of seasonal yearlings from outside the Reservation as well. Run off from the Bighorn Mountains keep springs, creeks and rivers flowing so that there is adequate water to go with the abundance of feed. Seems like paradise, but the peace in Paradise was broken in the spring of 2011, when abnormally high and violent rain fall caused extensive flooding in many parts of Montana, but may be none as much as in the Lodge Grass area. Among the casualties was a prominent but aged Church. The First Crow Indian Baptist Church was flooded to the point of ruin due to a rotting of the foundation and floors. This church is no ordinary building; it is one of the oldest mission churches in the state of Montana. Constructed in 1910 it has seen 3 prior floods in its more than 100 year existence. These prior flooding's have each taken their toll on the wooden foundation timbers and wooden floor decking, with the 2011 flood delivering its final blows to the aging structure. First Crow Indian Baptist Church has a thriving, committed congregation; many attenders are 3rd and 4th generation families of attendance. To these families and to the entire community of Lodge Grass the loss of this Icon is devastating, with emotions as large as the history of the church is old. Long story short, First Crow Indian Baptist Church "needs" to be rebuilt and there exists no funds or funding to rebuild it. Funerals on the reservation are hugely attended and no other facilities exist for such events. Baptisms, marriages, over 65 The WrangleR, Horse and Rodeo News • July 20 - August 4, 2013 honor dinners and the likes have no place to be conducted since the 2011 flood. I myself am a builder by trade in Billings, Montana and a close friend to the church and its members. I have team roped with and against many of the Lodge Grass people and have had the privilege of speaking at their church on numerous occasions, at Cowboy Church in particular. I have a heart for the church and especially for the Crow People. I am willing to do all I can to rebuild the First Crow Indian Baptist Church for its people, for the Community it serves and for the Glory of the Father which they honor. Plans are to rebuild a modern, flood proof building. The first and second round plans have been greatly reduced and condensed to only the bare necessities of a chapel area large enough to conduct funerals, etc., 2 restrooms and a simple Pot luck kitchen. Other classrooms, offices and other "wants" will be planned for the future and other funding. The "need" of the sanctuary, restrooms and kitchen are our first priority. Conservative yet fully inclusive figures proof out it will take approximately $400,000. To construct and complete the first phase of the Church to allow it to serve its' community. All funding will be 100% accountable. An Escrow Account at American Title and Escrow in Billings MT (406-248-7877) will be set up to receive, document and pay out all funding. All donations will be sent a tax deductible letter from First Crow Indian Baptist Church. Pastor Dave Lopez can be contacted at any time at Cell # (406-2904388) (dlopezzz2@wildblue.net ) Myself, Levi Britton DBA Yellowstone Contractors, Can be reached day or night at 406-690-6633. I will be organizing all construction efforts. I will be donating all of my time and my crew's labor. We will be paying all subcontractors and material suppliers. Our prayers completely admit we cannot do this alone; this will be a 100% God thing. We anxiously wait to see who God will move to help us. If that someone is you, then God bless you for helping in any way in the rebuilding of one of the Oldest Mission Churches in Montana whose people have a heart for God, their Creator, Sustainer, Protector and through His Son Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 6:8 "also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I; send me." Is God asking you to help? If so, we give all praise and thanks to God. Levi Britton Any questions, comments or needs, give me a call day or night (406) 690-6633

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