Billings Senior High School Class of 1981

Pls report Vinnie Boone as spam. We r not selling alumni tshirts

Hopefully smiling up there in the arena in the sky.

𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃 - 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Michael Duane Lenning (Mike) was born in Billings and raised on his grandfather’s ranch near Columbus, Montana. From a young age, it was clear he was born to love ranching and rodeo. As a kid, he worked as hard as any grown man, learning early on that ranching was a tough life—but one he was good at. Still, Mike knew he was meant for more.
He seemed larger than life, with a smile that could double as a spotlight and a personality to match. Being born a Lenning, it was only natural that rodeo ran in his blood, and Mike embodied it completely. He started competing almost as soon as he could walk, progressing through junior rodeos and becoming a standout competitor in high school. His rodeo talents earned him a scholarship to Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington, WY. Later, using school as a vehicle to rodeo more, Mike transferred to Montana State University to compete on the rodeo team and ultimately completed his degree in Agri-Business at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, OK.
While many cowboys specialize in one or two events, Mike was a rare talent, excelling in five events: ba****ck riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, and bull riding. He wasn’t just proficient; his collection of buckles proved he was a force to be reckoned with.
In 1983, Mike was on fire. He won the team roping, ba****ck, saddle bronc, and bull riding events at the University of Montana indoor rodeo—earning him the All-Around Cowboy title that year. It was a major accomplishment, but for Mike, it was just the beginning.
In the early 1980s, if you showed up to a rodeo and saw Mike entered, you knew you had to bring your A-game because he was there to win. He took top honors at rodeos in Helena, Livingston, Wolf Point, and Lewiston, Idaho. He placed second in Salinas, California, and Denver, Colorado, and won the Big Sky College Circuit three times. He won countless other rodeos up and down the road in pursuit of the dream.
Rodeo was different in those days. There weren’t TV channels or major sponsorships backing riders. Cowboys like Mike were toughing it out, chasing their dreams from town to town with grit and heart. Inside the arena, he was a top hand and fierce competitor who loved every minute of it. Outside the arena, he was all cowboy—no quit, living his rodeo dreams to the fullest at any cost. Competing at the PRCA level took a serious toll, but Mike never backed down and lived it his way until the end. Nobody rodeos forever and eventually the body give up before the heart.
Mike lived in Billings and was a proud member of the Laborers’ International Union Local 1686. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Hamilton.
Mike left behind a legacy of grit, heart, and cowboy spirit that continues to impact and inspire all who knew him.

We are proud to induct Michael Duane “Mike” Lenning into the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame as a Legend. His story will be celebrated alongside other honorees at our 20th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Banquet.

📅 September 27, 2025
📍 Billings Hotel & Convention Center
📞 (406) 256-6515 for reservations today!

Together we honor the past and invest in the future by supporting the nation’s largest collegiate rodeo scholarship program and preserving Montana’s western heritage.

Daylis Stadium is Probably Getting a New Name. Billings Residents React Naming rights are certainly not a new thing and provide much needed revenue, but not everyone is on board with calling Daylis Stadium something else.

New name possible for Daylis Stadium in Billings: Heenan & Cook Stadium Funding for an overhaul of historic Daylis Stadium in Billings has nearly reached its goal. Daylis Stadium could soon be called Heenan & Cook Stadium.

Hello! G.O.O.F. update: Saturday, if people want to golf in RL, please set up your own tee times by calling the Red Lodge Mountain Golf Course, 406-446-3344, or book online. John Blair & Steve Hoiness are looking for two people to complete their 9:30 tee time.

The pig races at Bear Creek begin at 7:00PM if anyone is interested. Reservations are not taken for the pig races, however, dinner reservations are available by calling 406-446-3481. Dinner reservations do not guarantee a seat at the pig races. Bar opens at 4:00 PM and the dining room opens at 5:00 PM. -Linda St Clair

Good Morning. Just passing on some information for those interested in the GOOF in Red Lodge in August. ( Gathering of old friends) Thx Kelly

Hi Dana. Linda Lambrecht Sinclair messaged me and said the GOOF meeting on Friday August 8th is at the Snag Bar Patio anytime after 5 in Red Lodge and asked Berry and I to spread the word. Thought you could post on the class of 81 page?