- Lance Schoepper
Memorial services for Lance Schoepper were held at 2:00 PM Monday, April 13, 2009. Pastor
Barbara Westhoff officiated at the service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Westby; interment
of cremated remains was in Westby Cemetery. Urn bearers were Phoebe Vest, Jim Vest,
and Jesse Schoepper; honorary bearers were Terri Schoepper Milton, Jamie Vest Putnam,
and all of Lance’s nephews and nieces; usher was Lynden Lagerquist. Lance died at his
Westby home early Wednesday, April 8, of complications of diabetes; he was 45.
Lance Edward Schoepper was born to William “Wes” and Phoebe Rae (Overgaard)
Schoepper September 18, 1963 in Plentywood, Montana. Lance moved to Portland, Oregon
with his big sister, Theresa (Terri) and his parents in 1963. In 1967, after his Dad, Wes,
passed away, the family moved back to Montana. Baptized and confirmed at Immanuel
Lutheran Church, Lance graduated from Westby High School in 1982, and attended Eastern
Montana College in Billings and the University of North Dakota Williston Center. He worked
with his uncle, Warren, in the oilfields before going to New Mexico, where he realized his
love of painting. He loved to take something old, and make it “brand new.” Always a
perfectionist, Lance was an artistic, creative person, passionate about his work.
his life! Lance also worked in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Minot, North Dakota before returning home to Westby in 1996. He was proud
that he had painted almost every house in Westby – either inside or out! In his free time, Lance enjoyed working with wood. He designed
and created custom cat condos, arbors & decks, shadow boxes, name plaques & many other things. The last 5 years, although slowed
by his diabetes, he kept painting and doing carpentry. Lance was a fun companion, and a great helper to his mother. He was very
knowledgeable with past and current events and rarely missed the news. He loved music from Jazz to Country to Hard Rock.
Lance is preceded in death by his father, Wes, uncle, Billy Overgaard, grandparents, Ervin and Irene Overgaard and Duward and Virginia
Pilling, his aunt, Diane Pilling; his great-grandparents Emil and Minnie Bundt and Alfred and Dena Overgaard . . . and by his dogs Beau
and Mr. Jiggs.
Lance leaves behind his son Jesse, and Jesse’s mother, Lori Godijohn; his parents, Phoebe Vest and the only Dad he ever knew, Jim
Vest. He is also survived by his sister, Terri Milton and her husband Bill, nephew Christopher, niece Amber (Brian) Marshal, and great
niece Ariel; and sister Jamie Putnam and her husband Brian, niece Courtney and nephew Bridger. Other survivors include his
grandparents, James and Marge Vest, and numerous uncles and aunts, including Warren and Eileen Overgaard, David and Laurie
Overgaard, and Mike Overgaard; Merri and Bert Loomis, Kris Bozart, and many cousins and friends. He is also missed by his faithful and
obedient friend and companion, his dog, Tucker.
We will miss your kind spirit and friendly nature – we love you, Lance.
Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood had charge of arrangements.
| . . . . in Memory of . . . . |
| 1963 - 2009 |
Remembering Lance
Lance also leaves behind his beautiful daughter, Stephanie Dianne Iepson, 20, who he never met, but well knew of, by his own choice.
Patricia Carlson
Saint Paul, Mn
steph@joyfulmoon.com
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Patricia Carlson
Saint Paul, Mn
steph@joyfulmoon.com
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................