Madrienne O'Keefe

Madrienne O'Keefe, 70, Rapid City, SD, formerly of Crystal, ND, passed away Friday, December 30, 2011 at a Rapid City hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 6 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Crystal with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at the church. Arrangements by Jensen-Askew Funeral Home of Cavalier.

Madrienne O'Keefe, daughter of Cleo and Bernice (O'Sullivan) O'Keefe, was born July 17, 1941 at Grafton. She grew up in Crystal where she attended Crystal Public School, graduating from high school in 1959. She then enrolled at the Jamestown School of Cosmetology, and, upon completing the course, was employed there as a hairstylist and later as an instructor.

She was once married to Robert Schuler. They lived in several North Dakota communities, including Jamestown, Fargo and Minot; and also lived in Flagstaff, AZ and Roseburg, OR for a time. Madrienne later returned to North Dakota and resided in Valley City before moving to Bismarck where she lived and worked for a number of years. In the early 1990s she moved to Rapid City, SD and enrolled in a local culinary arts school which enabled her to pursue her love of preparing and serving food. She had since been employed by several catering companies in Rapid City.

Madrienne was an active member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City and was involved with several volunteer programs in the community. Her deepest love was for her family, her faith and her Irish heritage. She enjoyed her career as a hair stylist and especially enjoyed her most recent career in the culinary profession.

She is survived by her two sons, Tony (Lisa) Schuler of New Brockton, AL and Bill Schuler (Mark Kopejtka) of Sioux Falls, SD; 2 grandchildren, Ashli and Bo Schuler; 5 sisters, Molly Nelson of Fargo, Helen Miller of Billings, MT, Janet Clairmont of Great Falls, MT, Dr. Mary Eleanor O'Keefe of Tiki Island, Galveston, TX and Ruth Ann (Terry) Ratzloff of Fort Wayne, IN; 2 brothers, Paul (Carol) O'Keefe of Crystal and Michael O'Keefe of Grand Forks; and many nieces and nephews.

Madrienne was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Cleona; and 3 brothers, Lloyd, Bill and Charles.
Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Robert Pecotte.