Mary Lynn “Chops” Spang, 57 of Lame Deer began her journey home on December 23, 2023 after a hard fought battle against Cancer. “Singing Bird Woman” named after her aunt Jewel Salois Gilham was born November 27, 1966 to Jule & Elaine Salois Spang Sr.
Chops grew up on the family ranch south of Lame Deer. During her elementary & high school years she participated in basketball, track & the rodeo club, graduating from St Labre in 1985.
After high school she went to work for Cady’s gas station, later the Northern Cheyenne Charging Horse Casino, she was currently employed with the Lame Deer Public School in the maintenance department where she wasn’t the boss but was the BOSS, previously she worked in the SPED department during her time here she developed many close friendships with both staff & students. And was a die-hard Morning Stars, & Dallas Cowboys fan cussing up a storm when her team was losing or messing up or just not doing what she wanted them to do.
Chops was an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and a descendant of the Blackfeet Tribe which she was very proud of, and would often make trips up north with her sister Leslie or brother Ron to visit family and fish the lakes.
Chops – our Cowgirl never rode horses but could do all the jobs of a rancher, she knew all the cows and horses, what calves or colts belonged to which cow or horse, dad called her his pickup cowgirl, only one who could sit on the tailgate with a bucket of grain and have all the horses follow her in to the correl. Chops and her sister Leslie went everywhere with and helped dad with all the ranch chores, but mostly to keep him in line or trying to keep him from putting more dents in the truck.
Chops never had kids of her own but she was Auntie/Mom to all her nieces and nephews and loved them all. All her nieces had the same name “Hagg” and each one was special to her.
Some special friends/cousins she considered brothers/sisters: Robin Foote, John McNeely, Mark & Stacy Keller, James NcNeely Jr, Pammy & Dr. Dixie Wilson, Michael & Kristi Speelman, Nita Weaslebear, Camron Russell Jr. & Jamie Whiteman.
Preceded in death by her Mom Elaine, Brothers: Wilbur Sr., & Arnold “Gus”, Sister: Crystal, Grandparents: Alphonso & Mary Spang, James & Irene Salois. Uncles, Ernest, Gordon, Burt, Darrell, Wilmer, Leroy Spang, Eldon, Gaylen, Timer, & Burton Salois, Aunts: Jenny Spang Little Coyote, Ilene, Winnie, Merle Salois, & Jewel Gilham.
Survived by: her dad Jule Sr, Brothers: Ronald, Jule (Joletta) Jr., Larry “Charlie” (Rachel), Henry Speelman, Sisters: Ernestine “Boola”, & Leslie “Monks”, Aleda, Sister In Laws: LuMary & Lori Spang. Uncle: Terry (June) Spang Sr., Aunts: Hansafaye Burns, Bonnie Belt, Carlene, & Karen Salois.
Extended family include: Harris, Seminole, Spottedwolf, Bement, Shoulderblade, Callsfirst, Fisher, Robinson, Roundstone, Denny, Salois, Racine, Schildts, & Gilhams.
The family would like to thank the NC IHS staff: Kim Studner, Tara Salley, Brandi Robinson, Nichole Wilson, & PHN LaShawna Flatness for the care you provided to Mary.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Wednesday December 27, 2023
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Thursday December 28, 2023
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Thursday December 28, 2023
Spang Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Wednesday December 27, 2023
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Thursday December 28, 2023
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Thursday December 28, 2023
Spang Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Share
Michael Speelman says
Well $#!t Chops. Sure gonna miss giving you crap bout “Dem Boys”….
We gonna just miss you. Been friends our whole lives. You will always be in our hearts 💕 . Kristi the girls and I..
Prayers for all of our Family…..
Barbara Bement says
So sorry 🙏
Alison black says
You will be greatly missed, all the fun stuff we did Omgg I will miss your crazy laugh and even crazier conversations with you. LDPS will never be the same. You were the best !! RIP cowgirl
Shelly Holum says
Sending prayers to all of the family..
Berdie Brown says
My friends Leslie and Boola, my condolences for the loss of your Sister. You’re always in my prayers.
Marilyn Mader says
Jewel and Spang family,
I’m so sorry to hear of losing Chops. May the Lord comfort you as you go through this loss. You will be in my prayers.
Lisa M Limpy says
Well, dang it Mary. God bless your journey.
Danetta F says
My dear Spang family. I am soooo sorry about Mary’s passing. She will be missed, as well as her looming work she was so talented with. Not everyone could loom but Mary has it down pact. And her lil buckskin dolls are now cherished keepsakes. I love you Mary. Go to your dear mama and don’t look back!!!
Anonymous says
Going to miss you Mary “Chops”, you were a staple at the Spang ranch and you always made visiting the ranch fun. I hope you have a beautiful journey and homecoming up there in Heaven. I know you’ll be greeted with lots of love from everyone whom you loved who’s gone on before you. You brought so much light to the world, you’ll be missed dearly. Love you and see ya on the other side Cowgirl!
Beverly Shelley says
Condolences to my Spang family ❤️ RIP cuz now you can be with your mother! Sure going to miss you ❤️
Bernadette(pebbles) says
So sorry for the spang family, my condolence to the family. I’m gonna miss her with her laughter, I loved here morning fb she sure was a fighter, and fought hard and went back to work, now she is with mom n family
Alan and Joleen Spang says
Mary you are going to be missed so much if anyone has not said it you are an excellent doll maker I hope your family has some of your dolls. I admire how well you worked with the students they love you, I know you will continue to watch over your family friends and students you taught. With condolences to our Spang family.
Ron and Ruth Burman says
You were always nice Mary.Will miss you.Girl.
Ally says
Well F^&k Chops, who the hell am I going to talk shat with when I come up and visit?? THANK YOU for making my days at LDHS tolerable, the way we could talk shit amongst one another always made my day. I’m gonna miss ya, but I am thankful you are no longer in pain. I know your family and friends will miss you, becuz LADY… you truly were one of kind. Journey well my friend, prayers over your family and friends.
Theda Foote says
Omg, when I heard of your passing, I started thinking about all times we had, partying, I will cherish all of those times,I hope you dance in heaven the way you used to at Jimtown, haha, I will miss a your morning texts, journey well and rest in peace
Ben Hen says
Chops! I am gonna miss your chops and your little ears. At LDHS you made work tolerable. RIP Chops!!
Nellie Speelman says
My love and prayers for your family.
Juanita Brady says
I know she is with her mom and siblings rejoicing. I take comfort in that. I loved her laugh and her honesty. Cowgirl in the Heavens probably not cussing anymore lol she in a world of al love now. see you when I get there my friend. she was Louise, I was hagg or Thelm. love to the family and friends. She was a good one.
Andrita Harris says
Chops going to miss your morning post. Text Visits. Had to Hear of loosing to cousins. Deepest sympathy and condolences to Spang & Solis family. You are in no more pain, get to see our loved ones. Had good visits at LDES. RIP Cowgirl. Tell we meet again. PRAYERS too the family.