Many modern Cheyenne Warriors find themselves still facing battles but now they fight on different battlefields. The courage it requires is the same as years ago. On January 22, 2016 Leo Francis Spang lost his battle for his life through the pain of diabetes and heart disease. The hardest part for him was enduring it without his partner, his beautiful wife, Maxine, who fought her own battle and went on to be where he has now gone.
Leo was born on our homeland, Lame Deer, MT, on May 13, 1946, the youngest son of six amazing sons of Jennie (Limberhand) and Wilfred Spang. Leo was a kind, respectful, loving, generous man, and he also had a sense of humor. He was taught at an early age the value of hard work and the joy of exploring the beautiful reservation, and learning the Cheyenne language left to us by our ancestors.
One of the happiest days of his life was August 1, 1970, when he joined his life to Maxine Maxelina Guavera and for 43 years they began their life on Muddy Creek together, building a family ranch. Although most of his adult life he spent working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at a job where he eventually came to know every part of our beautiful reservation, his main joy was on his ranch raising, breeding, and training horses. He was known for training the larger cross breeds, Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons etc. and they pulled his wagons that showed up at major events on the reservation such as parades, giving rides for elders on special occasions, and they were especially requested for funerals, to take people to their final resting place – and he will have this honor himself followed by many to honor this outstanding horseman. He enjoyed training young men to break young colt horses.
He and his brothers, children and grandchildren knew him as an expert hunter (mostly elk and deer) providing food for the table in this way. He learned from his father and each year hunting season was a time the family looked forward to. It was a source of stories that were added to each year. Leo trained grey hounds/Scottish deer hound dogs and loved to use them in chasing coyotes. He also loved to trap.
He was a legendary figure in southeastern Montana in the area of baseball and of soft ball. He was versatile in just about every area and set records in his ability to knock them out of the field. A power hitter, he earned the name of “The Big Hurt.” In one of the fields in Colstrip he set the record for the most home runs. He was instrumental in founding the outstanding baseball team, “Redfeather.”
His horses and wagons went on the trail with Cheyenne Trail riders, a business he has been a part of for the 25 years it has existed. Visitors from every continent and many islands of the world rode with him and learned about the history, culture and especially ethnobotany of our reservation. He also rode horseback with them and camped with them. Cheyenne Trail riders will never be the same without him. Condolences have come in from Germany, Scotland, France, and across the United States.
Leo is survived by his children Evone Spang (C. Robert Yellowfox, III); JoHanna Spang; and Artie Spang. Grandchildren: Shaydel Alissa Spang, Sage Francis Spang, Trevor Wiley Spang, and Leo Clay Yellowfox and one great grandchild, Sage Spang Jr., son of Sage Spang and Jeniqua J. Sequi. Four Brothers; Norman (Clarice) Spang of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Alonzo (Clarice) Spang of Billings, James (Aladine) Spang of Muddy Creek, Zane (Sandy) Spang of Ashland.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jennie Limberhand and Wilfred Spang. Brother, Lawrence Spang, and his wife Maxine Guavera.
His relatives include Harris, Limpy, Walks Along, Limberhand, Atwood, Whitewolf, Elk Shoulder, Bixby, Whiteman, One Bear, Bear Tusk, Azune, Daniels, Robenson, White Dirt, Wolf Chief, White Shirt, Poitra, Guavera, Killsnight, Threefingers, Lamebear. Walkingbear, Yelloweyes, Shoulderblade, Blackhorse, Medicinetop, Strangeowl, Medicine Elk, Long Jaw, Eagle Feather, Big Head Man, Wolfname, Flying, Lonebear. In this time of grief we may have forgotten to mention families and friends but we acknowledge your help, thoughts and prayers for Leo.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 pm
Tuesday January 26, 2016
Circle of Life Lutheran Church
Muddy Cluster
Lame Deer, MT 59327
Funeral Service
10:00 am
Wednesday January 27, 2016
Boys and Girls Club
100 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer, MT 59327
Graveside Service
11:30 am
Wednesday January 27, 2016
Spang Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 pm
Tuesday January 26, 2016
Circle of Life Lutheran Church
Muddy Cluster
Lame Deer, MT 59327
Funeral Service
10:00 am
Wednesday January 27, 2016
Boys and Girls Club
100 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer, MT 59327
Graveside Service
11:30 am
Wednesday January 27, 2016
Spang Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, MT 59327
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Kim Knobloch says
Jo and Family,
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you all during such a difficult time. May God bless you and guide through this time of loss. You dad was a awesome person, right along with your mom and I am so glad they were a part of my life.
Love and Prayers,
Kim Knobloch and Family
Mary and Jolyn Dillon says
wanting to let you know that your family is in my prayers. It is comforting knowing that we will see our loved ones again, May the love and support of family and friends help you through this difficult time. God bless you
Mary and Jolyn Dillon, Wolfpoint,MT
Dennis and Bonnie Bear Don't Walk says
I would like to compliment his obituary, What a story! He is now with your mom–May God give you Girls/family strength to carry on.
Reginald Killsnight says
Thoughts and Prayers to Leo’s Family.
~ Reginald Killsnight Family
Georgia Ann burns says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May you find comfort and peace. What a life story, Leo has. god Bless you all!
William E. Rowland says
My deepest sympathy to the family.
My friend is dancing in the sky with Maxine.
He will be missed by by many but we must remember he is in a way better place than here on earth.
RIP Leo Spang.
Danetta F. Fisher says
Leo Spang…The Wagon Master!! I will always remember him and his wagons…They were so cool!!! May Creator God bless his journey, and be with his daughters….GO With GOD Leo!!!
Joyce Three Fingers says
Condolences and our deep sympathies to the family. I pray that our higher power gives you comfort in knowing that your dad is not suffering anymore and is happy with your mom again
Doug and Eleanor Parker says
My prayers for Leo’s family. He will be missed. RIP
Dawn Rowland says
My prayers to the Spang family during this very difficult time.
CANDY SCALPCANE & FAMILYS says
WORD CAN NOT EXPRESS THE WONDERFUL PERSON LEO WAS..HE HELPED US A LOT MOVING COWS DOWN 212…I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU WILL SEE HIM AGAIN AND WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY THAT WILL BE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
Samantha Killsnight & Family says
My Thoughts And Prayers to the family,
Diane White and family says
Our deepest sympathies and you are in our prayers. I pray that Maheo blesses your family with the comfort needed and strength of letting go. Leo was blessed with a wonderful journey on this earth and touched many lives in a positive way.
Walter C. Fleming says
My sympathies to the family … I recall fondly watching Leo play softball and I was honored to play on the same team now and then.
Sandy Spang says
Goodbye little Brother but only for a while. You were the kindest, most loving, gentle person we knew. We love our times with you sitting on the deck, under a sky full of brilliant stars. We know the Creator of those stars holds you close to his heart. Better times ahead. Revelation 21:3,4 “With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”