Funeral Service for Rose Mary Nelson Keoke, 59 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 12:00PM at the Sisseton Wahpeton Community Center, Agency Village, SD with Rev. Fr. Charles Chan, Mike LaFontaine, Darrel Mireau, Coke LaFontaine, Frank Barse Jr., and Clyde Kampeska, and Sr. Catechist John Cloud III officiating. Drum group is Old Agency Singers and pianist is Billy Kohl. Pallbearers will be Anthony Keoke, Jeremy Keoke, Chad Keoke, Garret Keoke, Raymond Hernandez, Eric DuMarce, Conrad Brown, and Calvin Max Sr.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Charlotte Keoke, Denise Nelson, Lisa Nelson, Mary Lou Thompson, Anna Thompson, Catherine Thompson, Cheryl Spider, Ann German, Fran Kirk, Hattie Thigh, Sandra White, Collette Drum, Mary White Country, Joan White, Lynnette Beaudreau, Edna Max, Louella Cloud, Arlene Keoke Miller and Alvira Enoch. Wake service will be held Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Sisseton Wahpeton Community Center starting at 7:00 PM and All Night Wake service will be Friday, December 7, 2018 at 7:00 PM. Interment will be in the St. Mary's Episcopal Cemetery, Agency Village, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, SD is in charge of the arrangements.

Rose Mary Nelson was born on July 30, 1959 in Sisseton, SD to Peter Buddy Nelson and Irene Rose Swift Bird. Her early childhood was spent in Oklahoma. She relocated with her mother and step father. She attended School in Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas and California. She graduated in Browns Valley, MN. She then went to work for the BIA in Aberdeen, SD. She returned to Sisseton and worked as a secretary for H.I.P. Program. It was there that she met Levi Keoke Jr. They were married on March 3, 1989 in Watertown, SD. She then went to work at Dakota Sioux Casino. She and Levi made their home in Browns Valley, MN, Watertown, SD, Peever, SD and then Sisseton, SD. Rose Mary Nelson Keoke made her journey early Wednesday morning at Coteau Des Prairies Hospital, Sisseton SD due to diabetic complications.

Rose is survived by her husband, Levi G Keoke Jr. of Sisseton, SD; five children, Anthony Peter (Tony) Keoke, Chad Everett Keoke, Jeremy Wade Keoke, April Rose Keoke, and Angela Amber Keoke; and her other children, Garrett Lee Keoke, Val Keoke, Allen George Owen and Minerva Keoke; thirty two grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; five sisters, Connie Brown, Ann White Hawk, Sharon Nelson Theresa Hawk, Bonnie Nelson and Freeman Hawk Jr. ;brother-in-law Lloyd Keoke and sister-in-law Edna Max.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Peter Buddy Nelson and Irene Swift Bird; two sisters, Rita Dolores Nelson, and Catherine Frances Hawk; in-laws Levi Keoke Sr. and Doris Barse Keoke; and sister-in-law Goldie Keoke Beaudreau.

For Rose's obituary and on-line registry, please visit www.cahillfuneralchapel.com.