Marie P. Keaster

Marie P. Keaster, 94, passed away due to natural causes on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at the Northern Montana Care Center. A vigil service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019, and funeral liturgy will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2019, both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cascade.Burial will take place on Monday at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Helena.Holland & Bonine Funeral Home and O’Conner Funeral Home have been entrusted with services and arrangements. Marie was born on November 20, 1924, outside of Helena, to Nick and Katie (Hohn) Poepping. She was raised in the Helena Valley, attending school through the 8th grade. That summer, her brothers were drafted into World War II, and Marie quit school to help on the farm. In 1951, she married Richard Keaster, a ranch hand, and the couple moved around Montana. Marie worked for various ranches as a cook, while Richard worked as a ranch hand. They put down roots on the Hi-Line, where Marie worked as a cook in restaurants in Harlem and Chinook. She retired in 1992, after working 12 years at the Chinook Senior Center.In 1995, Marie moved to Cascade, where she remained until Fall of 2018, when she moved to Great Falls to live with friends. In February 2019, she moved to Havre. Marie enjoyed doing word search puzzles and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She was a fabulous cook, but was especially known for her pies. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she spent as much time with them as she could. Her faith was very important to her, and it helped her get through many difficult times. Marie was a devoted member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church for the past 24 years. Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Keaster; parents, Nick and Katie Poepping; and five siblings. Marie is survived by her children, Bill (Cheryl) Keaster of Cascade, Nick (Ellen) Keaster of Mountain Home, ID, Katie (David) Heath of Havre, and Rob Keaster of Lingo, WY; grandchildren, Tell (Becca) Keaster, Anna (Andy) Borel, James(Chari) Keaster, Dustin Heath, Bryan Heath, and RJ (Kathryn) Keaster; five great-grandchildren; sister Ann Lou White of Mount Angel, OR; numerous nieces and nephews; and good friends, Bill and Margie Ross.