Ernest "Ernie" Icopini

In Loving Memory of Ernest (Ernie) Lewis Icopini, 1931-2025

After ensuring another beet harvest was successfully completed, our beloved patriarch, Ernest (Ernie) Lewis Icopini, of Hysham, departed this world on November 6, 2025, at the age of 94 following a series of falls and medical complications.

Ernie was born in Billings, Montana on October 14, 1931, to Ernest and Anna (Bogunovich) Icopini and grew up in Big Horn, Montana with his younger sister, Marj. The son of Italian and Croatian immigrants, he began building his American Dream at an early age. At just five years old, he delivered the Billings Gazette by bicycle, keeping careful records of every subscription and payment. By age 12, he traded that bicycle for the family Studebaker wagon, becoming a “bus driver” by picking up local kids along Tullock Creek and driving them to school. Growing up during the Great Depression taught him thrift, resilience, and an unshakable work ethic that would shape his life.

After graduating from Custer High School in 1949, Ernie and his family moved to Hysham, where he and his dad leased a few hundred acres of farm land. This modest start would eventually grow into a large family farm. Farming wasn’t just his occupation; it was his calling. His happiest place on earth was in the seat of a tractor working the land he loved. When he first began sugar beet farming, beets were dug with a single row digger, and each beet had to be hand-topped and tossed into the truck. This fall, during his final beet harvest, he watched his farm’s new self-propelled beet harvester do it all and expressed how he wished he could have been riding in it.

Ernie received the High Ten Great Western Sugar Beet Grower award multiple times, an honor for the top producers in the region. Always forward-thinking, he embraced innovation. From installing sprinklers and adopting no-till/strip-farming methods to operating the first RTK GPS tractor in Montana, he stayed on the cutting edge of progressive farming practices. Yet he never forgot his roots: The first corn planter he ever used at the age of 10 was pulled by a team of horses and still sits in front of their farmhouse as a reminder of how far he (and farming) had come.

A successful farming operation of this size wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of his wife, Marian (Kimball) Icopini. The two married on July 24, 1954, and enjoyed 69 years together before she passed away in 2024. They both loved children, and when they were planning to marry, Ernie told Marian that he wanted six kids. After their fourth was born, he said, “This isn’t so many; maybe we should have ten.” And they did. Ernie instilled his strong work ethic in his kids: As soon as they could hold a hoe (which he cut to size), they were out working in the fields.

Ernie believed in doing things the right way (i.e., his way) – whether it was planting crops, playing cards, or demonstrating how to vacuum or wash the table in straight rows “like planting a field.” He could be stern when it mattered, but behind that seriousness was a playful, good-humored spirit. From playing Pitch with family, hosting Poker games for friends, or beating the grandkids at Canasta, he was a tough competitor but always with a twinkle in his eye. With such a large family, things could get lively when everyone gathered, but he loved having all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in the house together: The louder it was, the better his afternoon nap in the living room!

Beyond his farm and family, Ernie was a devoted Catholic and started every week by attending Sunday Mass. He also dedicated himself to his community. He served Treasure County as a County Commissioner for 18 years and was an active member of the Ditch Board for more than 40 years. He was instrumental in securing grants and funding for many projects that the community still benefits from today.

A dedicated family man and farmer, Ernie was a strong, steady presence in his family and community. His love of the land, his devotion to those he cared for, and his legacy of hard work and love will live on in all who knew him.

He is survived by his 10 children: Perry, Nancy, Lori (Terrance) Casey, Dana (Paul) Sievers, Brent (Brenda), Dale (Amber), Todd, Gary (Pat), Bart (Amber), and Dean; 25 grandchildren: Ryan (Jodi), Ginny (John) Layshock, Tiffany; Gina (Tom) Tarnacki, Jacole Douglas, Angela (Miles) Babcock, Mitch (Chelsea) Douglas; Erin (Sean) Leistritz, Donovan (Kate) Casey; Bridget (Andy) Merry, Jayme (Patrick) Nelson; Kaitlyn, Joe; Eric, Nick (Tara), Matt, step-granddaughter Taylor (Beau) Bromenshenk; Lewis, Tom; Harper, Morgan, Nolan, Kaleb; Shayna Welch, Sam, and Rose; and 31 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by Marian, his wife of 69 years; his parents; his sister, Marj Criswell; brother-in-law Bob Criswell; daughter-in-law, Barbara; granddaughter, Sara Casey; step-grandson, Shad Schaak; and great-granddaughter, Chezni.

The Rosary service will be Sunday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary Chapel. Mass will be Monday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hysham.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, P.O. Box 226, Hysham, MT 59038 or to a charity of your choice.