Madeline Virginia Keplin (89) passed into eternity on February 18, 2022 at Belcourt, ND.  She was born in Belcourt on October 22, 1932 to Alex and Elizabeth (Gourneau) Davis and was the oldest of 10 children. She was also the oldest living member of the Bonais family and was considered the matriarch.  She was baptized at St. Ann's Church and raised in Belcourt. She attended high school at Marty boarding school and graduated from Stephan boarding school. Both are in South Dakota.

Madeline married Raymond Keplin on August 2, 1955 at St. Ann's Church and together they raised 6 children: Clayton, Jolene, Colleen, Scott, Jon Jon and Rae. When Raymond went to work for the BIA Road Department at Fort Berthold, they made their home there from 1967 to 1987.

Madeline's greatest loss was the death of her son, Scott. To honor him, the family created a scholarship that was granted to a Belcourt High School senior each year since that time. The reservation currently has many people who received this scholarship.

She was a spiritual person and practiced her catholic faith. She joined the Oblate community and was an active member of that prayer group. Over the years she became involved in many organizations. She served on the tribal council, as well as the college Board of Trustees. In that position she traveled to Washington DC and assisted the college by meeting with Senators and Congressmen to make them aware of the great needs of the college and the opportunities it offered to the tribal members.

While in New Town she worked for Northrop. In Belcourt, she was employed as a CHR, and a clerk at the Turtle Mountain Heritage Center and Sky Dancer Casino Gift Shop. Madeline enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, especially playing wolf.

She was proud of her grandchildren, especially the girls who danced at powwows. There were many pictures of her with her granddaughters who are fancy shawl dancers. She was also proud to see her sons & grandsons participate in the Scott Keplin Roping Memorial and many other roping events.

Madeline will be missed by her children Clayton (Diane) Keplin, Jolene Keplin, Colleen Keplin, Jon Jon (Angel) Keplin, Raelene (Randy) Keplin-Baker; 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren); Siblings Pat Wanna, Roland, Francis Fatti (Mary Lou), Alex (Beverly), and Fred (Beverly).

She was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Elizabeth Davis, son Scott, granddaughter Celeste, sisters Joanne Allard and Adelaide Davis, brothers George (Che-Boy) and Jimmy Davis and husband Raymond Keplin.

A visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Belcourt, ND with a Rosary Service at 7:00 PM.  Funeral Mass will be Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Belcourt, ND.  Burial will take place in St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Belcourt, ND in the spring.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.