Keith Champagne - Cokata-Ohitika-Najiin (He stands brave in the center)

Keith was born to Ambrose Champagne and Florestine Peltier March 15, 1971, at Devils Lake, ND. Keith was reared and educated in Fort Totten up to the eighth grade and went on to Job Corps in Missoula, Montana where his education continued. Keith returned home and was united in marriage to Vanessa Kirk and later divorced. He was a firefighter for seven years, voluntarily worked for the Fort Totten Housing as Security, and raised his only daughter Maggie Left Bear -Champagne. In May 2011, Keith was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease,” it was the fastest case in North Dakota history.

Keith enjoyed listening to country music Brad Paisley and Allen Jackson, Playing cards, Aggravation, Pinochle, and enjoyed watching football and movies, as well as visiting his family. His favorite colors are Blue, Black and White. He loved spending time with his daughter.  Keith’s favorite lines were   “Why………..”,  “White girl”, “Honest to God”.  There isn’t anyone who shared in Keith life who doesn’t have a good memory of him. Keith will always be loved and missed and forever in our hearts.

He is survived by his mother, Florestine Peltier, Ft. Totten;  father, Ambrose Champagne, Rochester, MN; , adopted daughter Meggie Left Bear-Champagne, Hartshorne, OK;  sister Corrine Thumb, Mesa, AZ;  adopted sister Christina Poitra, Belcourt; brother Shane Peltier, Ft. Totten;  adopted brother Dwight Lembke, Belcourt;  nephews  Marcus Peltier, Thayne Bell Jr. “TJ”;  nieces Mariah Peltier, Gladys Cavanaugh;  Grandfathers Fred Peltier Sr, Gilbert Peltier Sr, Clifford Peltier Sr, Floyd McKay;  Grandmothers Eva Dauphinais, Ramona Bull, Mary McNamara, Sylvia Brownshield, Kathryn Howard;  Aunties  Lois Littlewind, Edith Peltier, Andrea Iceman, Lorna Brownshield;  Uncles Fred Peltier, Richard Peltier, Solomon Peltier, Ivan Lovejoy Sr, Micheal Joshua, Edward Brownshield, Myron Spotted Horse, Dwight Cree, David Cree, and Ray Norquay Jr.

Keith was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Mr. John and Gladys Peltier Sr;  uncles John Peltier Jr., Jerome E. Peltier, Lawrence Peltier; Aunt Julia Peltier;  and other extended families. We apologize if we omitted anyone during this difficult time for it was not intentional.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Ft. Totten Recreation Center, Ft. Totten, ND

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 10:00AM

BURIAL: St. Jerome's Catholic Cemetery, Crow Hill District, rural Ft. Totten, ND