Eileen Counts, age 75, of Dunseith, ND passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at the Dunseith Nursing Home, Dunseith, ND.

Eileen Cecelia (Belgarde) Counts was born on July 24, 1944 to Pat and Rachel (Boyer) Belgarde in Belcourt, ND. She was raised and educated in Belcourt. Eileen was united in marriage to Sidney Counts on February 6, 1964. She was the proud mother of four children, Lois, Harold, Connie, and Lisa. Eileen was employed at various places throughout the community and her love of children led her to pursue a job as a teacher at the North Dunseith Head Start, where she retired after over 20 years of employment.

Eileen loved playing cards, bingo, attending Pow-wows, listening to George Jones, planting flowers, going to the casino, and canning. She was very talented with her hands, shared valuable advice, and proudly wore a smile upon her face. She will be lovingly missed by her family, friends, and all that knew her.

Eileen is survived by her children, Lois (Bob) Rainbow of Bismarck, Harold (Ann) Counts of Dunseith, and Connie (Linus Keplin) Counts of Dunseith; fourteen grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; many step-children and step-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary (Counts) Jetty of Dunseith and Darlene (Peter) LaVallie of Belcourt.

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney, daughter, Lisa (Counts) Ogden, a great granddaughter, Angel, parents, Pat and Rachel Belgarde, siblings, Glenn and Dennis Belgarde, Helen Nadeau, and Lucy DeCoteau, and a nephew, Glenn Belgarde Jr.

Casket Bearers are Harrison Counts, Harold Counts Jr., Stuart Henry, Jordan Henry, Lance Henry, Justin Azure, Freddie Keplin, and BJ Rainbow. Honorary Bearers are all family and friends. Music by Alvin Counts. Readers are Raelynn Belgarde and Cynthia Nadeau. Eucharistic gifts by Alvin Counts and Gene DeCoteau. Pall placed by granddaughters, Ashley Counts, Kaylene Henry, Jacie Henry, Jessica Azure, Mary Beth LaVallie, and Akaysha LaVallie.

A visitation will begin at 3:00 PM on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Dunseith, ND with a Vigil/Rosary Service at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be Monday, June 29, 2020 at 10:00 AM in the church with Fr. Michael Slovak presiding. Burial will follow in St. Louis Catholic Cemetery, Dunseith, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.