Lonnie Dolney, 65, of Ross, ND (formerly of Sidney, MT), passed away peacefully with Heidi by his side on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the Mountrail Bethel Home in Stanley, ND.

Lonnie was born on May 12, 1960 to Theodore and Irene (Schultz) Dolney in Sidney, MT. He joined two brothers, Gyle and Tim (Lonnie’s partners in crime). Unfortunately, Irene passed when Lonnie was just three months old. The boys went to stay with Ted’s mother in Day County, SD for a timeframe. It was there Ted met and married Darlene Theil. Darlene became Lonnie’s “Mom”, and he loved her dearly. Soon after sister, Darla, was added to the clan. The shenanigans ensued with Tim and Lonnie. Skating on tin cans on Grandma’s Theil’s canal to breaking the neighbors’ windows with baseball. Lonnie and Time were the self-proclaimed “Kings” of the neighborhood park.

Lonnie worked hard most of his life. His first job was at a full-service garage along Sidney’s Central Avenue. When he turned 18 just a few weeks before graduation, he started his first of many two-week hitches in the oilfield. He never returned to Sidney High School, yet they sent him his diploma in the mail. Lonnie worked every imaginable job in the oil field. You name it and he did it. In slow times he helped the Helland’s as a hand in Squaw Gap, ND. To name a few companies he worked for in the patch; Brinkerhoff, Key, and Nabors Drilling.

Lonnie had one son, Jeff, who was born in 1982. Lonnie often talked about how Jeff fit in the palm of his hand when he was born. Lonnie was once married to Jodie Leland. From 1998 to 2009 Lonnie was married and divorced Anita Tomalino. He met Heidi Smith in 2008 and together they made their home in Ross, ND. Lonnie and Heidi spent many hours gardening and canning together. Lonnie was also a huge NHRA fane, and avid football watcher, and he thoroughly enjoyed reading. He even participated in the Richland County Fair Rodeo as a bull rider for a few years.

Lonnie is survived by his partner, Heidi Smith; son, Jeff (Jessica) Bosworth; brother, Gyle (Julie) Dolney; sister, Darla (Ben) Miller; nephews, Shane (Jasmine) Dolney and Brandon (Jenna) Miller; niece, Lisa (Charlie) Ewing; granddaughters, Savannah and Audry Bosworth; and numerous cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Theodore Dolney; stepmother, Darlene Dolney; brother, Timothy “Tim” Dolney; and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles.