Zaneta Rae “Sissy” Kenmille Keplin
courtesy photo
Zaneta “Sissy” Keplin
ELMO — On June 1, 2015, Zaneta Rae “Sissy” Kenmille Keplin joined her ancestors after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born August 23, 1968 in Hawthorn, California to Laurence and Marie Kenmille. She was baptized in the Catholic Church. Her godparents are Norman and Alberta Peratrovich. She was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and later in Belcourt, North Dakota.
In 1988 she met Richard Keplin and they had a daughter Kayla LaRae Keplin Ridgley. Richard and Zaneta were married December 31, 1999. Together they were foster parents to many children. They adopted their niece Gabrielle Houle as their daughter. Family was of utmost importance to Sissy. Everything she planned always revolved around the children in her family. She spent countless hours with her daughters and nieces and nephews. Zaneta loved to sing and dance. She especially enjoyed telling stories of her adventures with Lenny and Tommy and her Papa John. Her house was always filled with laughter and joy.
Zaneta moved to Montana in 2003 to spend time with her grandmother and family. She planned numerous family get-togethers, surrounded by music, food, games, and laughter. Sissy tanned hides in the traditional way she learned from her grandmother. She also enjoyed playing stick-game and card games with her family and friends.
She received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Salish Kootenai College in 2007. In 2008, she and Richard graduated with their Masters in Social Work from Walla Walla through an accelerated program.
On Aug. 23, 2008, her greatest birthday gift was received in the form of her granddaughter, JessaRae Ridgley. JessaRae kept her going for so many years. They had a special bond that JessaRae will carry in her heart for many years.
Zaneta was preceded in death by her grandmother Agnes Oshanee Kenmille; her maternal grandparents Barney and Anna Houle; her nephew Laurence B. “LaLa” Kenmille; her Uncle Donald Kenmille; her son in-law Josh Ridgley; and her best friend Lenny Joseph.
Zaneta’s husband Richard Keplin; her daughters Kayla and Gabrielle; her brothers Allan and Amak; her stepdaughter Richelle Keplin Poitra; her stepson K.K. Keplin; her granddaughter JessaRae; her mother Marie Houle Kenmille; her sisters Selina Kenmille and Mary Hewankorn; and her father Laurence Kenmille survive her. Numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and grandchildren also survive her.
Sissy’s pallbearers are Stan Kenmille, Ray Nichols, Mayuk Caye, Daniel Stiffarm, Kelvon Kallowat, and Freeman Nelson. Honorary pallbearers are her husband Richard Keplin, her stepdaughter Richelle Keplin, her partners in crime Danielle Tenas, Cissy Johnson, Tom Johnson, her grandkids, nieces, nephews, and especially her Titi JessaRae.
The wake for Sissy will start Wednesday, June 3, at 11 a.m., at the Elmo Hall in Elmo. A Rosary will take place Thursday, June 4, at 8 p.m. at the Elmo Hall, followed by a Funeral Mass on Friday, June 5, at 10 a.m. Burial will take place after the service in Dayton.
Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at:TheLakeFuneralHomeAndCrematory.com.
