Linus Keplin, age 75 of Dunseith, passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at a Bismarck hospital.  His funeral will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022 at 10:00 am at the St. Anthony's Catholic Church near Belcourt.

Linus Leonard Keplin was born April 23, 1947 to Alfred and Liza (Allery) Keplin. His early years were spent on a dairy farm, farming alongside his dad and brother Fritzie. He was a horseman, a bronc rider, a jockey, hot-rodder, musician, businessman, and the most charming ladies' man.

Linus attended grade school at St. Ann's Indian Mission, Belcourt, ND, Flandreau Indian School, Flandreau, SD and graduated from Eagle Butte High School, South Dakota in 1966. During the summer of his 16th year, Linus traveled to Los Angeles, CA to stay with his sister Lauretta and her husband Franklin Littlefield. After high school he returned there to work at Paramount Studios as a limousine driver for Hollywood stars. Later he got his CDL and diesel mechanics certificate from the East Grand Forks Technical Trade School, MN. Following this he trucked all over the nation and Canada and this led to him starting Keplin-Schroder Trucking (K & S) business with Debbie Schroder in 1982. They did road construction projects in a tri-state area and in Phoenix, AZ. Their company dissolved in 1986. Linus then created Keplin Trucking Construction Partnership (KTCP) with his brother Richard and sister Debbie, working federal, state and tribal projects in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota. After this partnership ended in 1994, Linus formed the Linus Keplin Trucking company and operated this until his health began to deteriorate this past fall. Throughout his trucking career, he taught his son Shawn, sister Debbie and several nephews how to operate and maintain trucks.

Linus served in the United States Army from June, 1969 to April, 1971 receiving an honorable discharge. He was active in the Vietnam conflict and like many of his comrades suffered from PTSD and health issues associated with Agent Orange.

Linus always had a smile on his face for all to see. His gentle voice always soothing with words of comfort and a good laugh. He lovingly greeted everyone, most memorable is "hello my girl, hello my boy" with that beautiful smile. He often referred to his nieces and grandchildren as "babies", as he never called anyone by name. "Sisssteeer!" was something else he would often say. Linus was a loving provider for his family and was always willing to help anyone in need, especially "those babies". He cherished his grandchildren dearly. We all can agree he was always immaculately dressed and smelled so good, oh how our handsome, charming Linus will be missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents Fred & Eliza (Allery) Keplin; brothers, Alfred "Fritzie" Keplin, Carl "Dean" Keplin, Russell "Kenny" Keplin, Frank Keplin Sr.; sisters, Linda Jo Gladue, Lauretta Keplin, Sharon Baker, Rose Keplin; father-in-law Sydney Counts; brothers-in-law, Peter Gladue, Vincent Keplin-Houle, Tony Sims, Frank Baker, Henry "Mokie" Martin; sister-in-law Zaneta (Kenmille) Keplin; nephews, Michael "Chi-Mike" Keplin, Jason Allery, Frank "Bubsy" Keplin Jr.; great-nieces, Vincenta Decoteau, Brooke Henry.

Linus is survived by his lifelong sweetheart of 36 years Connie Counts; children, Shawn (Toni) and Garrett Allery, Freddie (Jenn) Keplin, Linette (Warren) Counts and Lisa (John) LaVallie; step-children, Justin (Carletta) and Jessica Azure; mother-in-law Eileen Counts; brothers, Richard (Shirley) Keplin; sisters, Debbie "Chook" Martin, Carol Sims; grandchildren Weston, Chance, Monte, CJ, Bentley, Baylee, Lydia, Elizabeth, Ethan, Dusten, Katelyn, McKenzie, Blake, Brayton, Maeleigha, Cody, Curtis, Dustin, Nikita, Christina; great grandchild Brynnleigh. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.