In Loving Memory of Charlotte L. Hennigan

Charlotte Hennigan, 82
Charlotte Louise Hennigan, passed away peacefully on October 12th, 2017, at her home in Raton, NM, surrounded by family. Charlotte was a wonderful mother and grandmother, excellent horsewoman, and outstanding cook. She was kind to all she met and had a huge heart.
Charlotte was born January 10th, 1935 in Las Vegas, NM to Rudolph and Sophie Johnson. She spent her formative years in the ranching area of Vaughn and Santa Rosa, NM. There, she found her love of horses and the ranch life. She was a high school rodeo queen and enjoyed life to its fullest. She had a giving heart from a young age, demonstrated by helping raise her oldest brother’s triplets and their sibling, while still in high school and thereafter.
In 1953, Charlotte married Jim Hennigan of Raton, NM. The two settled on the Hennigan family ranch near Kiowa, NM, where she gave birth to her three children. The family lived and worked on ranches across New Mexico and Nevada. She was a natural with horses, becoming well known for her horsemanship throughout the area. The couple spent a lot of time following their children on the rodeo circuit and Charlotte also participated in horse shows and rodeos herself.
After Jim’s passing, Charlotte met Ray Schuppan and the two were married on April 3rd, 2003. The two enjoyed collecting bits, saddles, spurs and other western memorabilia and were regulars on those circuits. In 2009, they were inducted into the National Bit, Spur, and Saddle Collectors Association (NBSSCA). The couple enjoyed their quiet evenings with a good steak and a toddy, watching wildlife, and visiting with family and friends. She looked forward to weekly visits to her hairdresser, Karen, and from her caring hospice providers, especially Robin, Sandy, and Connie. Charlotte was always a thoughtful person, never missing anyone’s birthday and always sending her love in a birthday card.
Charlotte is survived by her sister-in law Mary Gayle (Bill) Baker, children, Norman (Rose) Hennigan, Sharla (Steve) Kirkman, Debbie (Wes) Floyd, Brad (Darla) Schuppan, Becky (Pat) Havely, and Robyn Schuppan, her grandchildren, Alisa, Brian, J.J., Tara, and Katy, as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first loving husband Jim Hennigan, her second loving husband Ray Schuppan, her parents Rudolph and Sophie Johnson, two brothers Jack and Jimmie, sister Peggy, brother-in-law Norman Hennigan, and sister-in-law Alta Kehoe.
There will be a visitation from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M on Thursday, October 19th at Yaksich-Long funeral home. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on October 20th at Yaksich-Long funeral home, followed by burial at the Hennigan family cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Evergreen Cemetery of Santa Rosa, NM or to a charity of your choice.
We would like to thank Robin, our hospice providers and all those who made it possible for her remaining days to be spent at home, in peace, and surrounded by loved ones.