Durell Keo

Durell Keith Keo

“Cante Waste Hoksina” (Good Hearted Boy)

January 2, 1998  ~  September 3, 2023

Durell Keith Keo was born January 2, 1998, in Devils Lake, ND, the son of Londa (Littleghost) Keo and the late Duane Keo. He was raised in Crow Hill, rural Fort Totten, ND. Durell attended Oberon Public School, pre-K through the 4th grade. After the 4th grade he then transferred to Four Winds. Durell was in various sports. He played football on the 5th and 6th grade team for the Four Winds Indians. His favorite sport was basketball. When he was a small boy, he always had a basketball with him. His favorite basketball team was the LA Lakers, and his favorite basketball player was Lebron James. 

He loved basketball... He would then start playing basketball, when he was in the 5th grade, playing for the Woodlake Traveling Team. They would travel around the state and out-of-state, playing against other teams. As he entered Four Winds High School, he continued with playing basketball with the Four Winds-Minnewaukan Indians. They successfully made it to the State Tournament, where they became State Champions in 2016. 

Durell followed in his Dad’s footsteps, who was a State Champion in wrestling. His little brother followed Durell’s footsteps with the support of Durell’s encouraging words and Durell being his biggest role model when his little brother went to state. Durell was very proud of his little brother. 

His favorite pastime was always to go the “Rec” with his brother Keenan to work out and play 5 on 5 or the game “thirty-one” with friends and family. He loved playing NBA2K with his brother and Fortnite with his little sister. He also recently loved going to the Casino to play the slot machines. 

After the passing of his Dad, Durell stepped up to help his Mom. He was always there to help her with taking his brother and sister to school. He always made sure the year was clean, without asking, he would be out there mowing the grass, always helping around the house. Durell always made sure that his little brother, sister and Mom were okay.  

Durell was a very kind-hearted person with a good heart, like his grandma the late Cheryl Thomas-Keo. He always had a smile on his face, wherever you saw him. He was a very friendly, kind, caring, person. He loved everyone with all his heart. No matter where he was, he always made time to help with family and friends. 

Durell came from a big family, whom he loved with all his heart. His favorite grandmothers in his life were Joyce Youngbear, Marilyn Thomas, Wanda Thomas and Bernadine Littlewind. 

In the beginning of 2023, Durell met the love of his life, his girlfriend Shayleigh McKay. They grew to love each other, and he was the happiest we’d seen him. As a family we were happy to know he was loved and in a loving relationship for the last months of his young life. 

Durell will be missed by all-but will never be forgotten. 

Durell’s loving family include his Mother Londa Keo; Brother Keenan Keo; Sister Keemya Keo; Girlfriend Shayleigh McKay; Aunts Charris Thomas, Tonda Shaw, Rhonda Stevens, Kellye Sojka, Wanda Littleghost, Bobbie Littleghost, Bobbiette Littleghost, Trenda Littleghost, Angie Robertson, Lisa Feather, Geneva Feather Rena Lohnes, Darion Thomas, Triston Thomas, Leigh Nestell, Nicole Archambault, Rose San Miguel and special aunts Krista Wewenes, Kayla Youngbear and Jerilyn Youngbear; Uncles Chadd Keo Sr., Clinton Keo, Mitchell Keo, Robert Littleghost Jr., Rustin Iceman, Wayne Littleghost, Richard DeMarce Jr., Robert Little, Michael Little, Joseph Little, Alan Little, Byron Littleghost, Sean Griffin, Patrick Griffin Jr., Nolan Griffin, Michael Griffin, Jerry Griffin Jr., Angel Najar and special uncles Tyson Whitetail, Alton Nestell Sr. and Jonn Bowker; cousins Danica Rough, Deshaundra Rough, Daniel Rough Jr., Jaeciona Meade, Jasmine Meade, Kara Shaw, Keisha Shaw, Karen Lambert, Kaylene Lambert, Rainell Hobson, Ebonie Hobson, Kaleigh Littleghost, Kayden Littleghost, Nikayla Littleghost, Justice Corbesia, Mitchell Keo Jr., Chael Keo, Malik Keo, Lorraine Keo, Lamira Keo, Julian DeMarce, Kale DeMarce, Kyra Keo, Connor Keo, Canisha Keo, Clayton Keo, Chad Keo Jr., Dequan Keo, Misty Keo, Hailee Keo, Cheryl Keo, Kellen Keo, Brandon Keo, Cyrus Keo, Cedric Keo, Clint Keo Jr., Taylor Nestell, Kalen Nestell, Kobe Nestell, Winona Nestell, Wade Nestell Jr., Leyton Nestell, Alton Nestell Jr., Arnell Nestell, Daniel Nestell, Nate Nestell, Sincere Nestell, Brandi Robertson, Mattie Robertson, Chandley Lightning, Chandler Lightning, Channing Lightning, Natalie Littleghost, Asia Littleghost, Hasley Littleghost, Mark Fassett Jr., Vincent Shaw, Chase Shaw, Myron Lambert Jr., Jalen Kingbird, Nupa Littleghost Jr., Jorge Flores, William Garcia, Duane Mudgett Jr., Easton Littleghost, Taylen Littleghost, Ryder Littleghost, Brayden Thomas and Elias Thomas; great grandmothers Helena Littleghost and Cora Iceman; Grandmothers Bernadine Littlewind, Joyce Youngbear, Wanda Thomas, Marilyn Thomas, Cindy Thomas, Anna Thomas, Maureen Keo, Doreen Keo, Trudy Iceman, Marcella Green, Arliss Krulish, Arlene Krulish, Roberta Littleghost, Bonita Littleghost; Grandpas Dennis Keo, Rudy Keo, Ronald Keo, Adrian Thomas Sr., Richard Littleghost, Darren Iceman Sr., Delmar Iceman, Raynard Iceman; many nieces and nephews who were so special to him. 

He was preceded in death by his beloved Dad, Duane, grandparents and great grandparents Robert Littleghost Sr., Cheryl Keo, Milton Thomas, Casey Thomas, Richard Thomas Jr., Keith Keo, Timothy Keo, Rodney Littleghost, Frances Littleghost, Byron Littleghost, Winifred Thomas, Richard “Boke” Thomas Sr., Sandra Littleghost, Lisa Littleghost, Eva Littleghost, Carla Littleghost, Aileen Wahwassuck, Larry Littlewind, Manuel Littlewind, Maynard Littlewind, Stacy Littlewind, Delvin Littlewind, Lawrence Littlewind Sr., Larry Littlewind Jr., and Jack Keo, uncles David Keo and Kendell Youngbear, cousins Mary BigTrack, Wesley BigTrack Jr., Keveon Feather, Nino Mendez and Matisha Lynn Fassett. 

Active Pallbearers: Keenan Keo, Kellen Keo, Jore Thomas, Taylor Nestell, Alton Nestell Sr., Mark Fassett Jr., Jalen Kingbird, Gionni Robertson, Tyson Whitetail, Jaylan LaRock and Myron Lambert Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers: The Four Winds Basketball Coaches, Rick Smith, Oliver Gourd Jr., Dennis Smith and his teammates from the 2016 State Championship Team! Crystal McKay and family, Steven RedFox and family, Owen and Denise McKay and family, Brandon Alberts, Loren Greybear Sr., Bud and Renita Shaw, Lathan Chaske, Trevor Yankton, Raphael Barragan, Benjamin Barragan, Gaylene Ironhawk, Marvin VanDorn, Geneva Feather and family, Lisa Feather and family, Keyana Feather, Brenda Jackson, Darla Thiele, the Blueshield Sisters and their families, Clarice and Josie Lawrence, Valerie Yankton, Marva Tollefson and family, Yvonne Dubois, Carmen Littlewind, the Buck Elk family, Peter Owlboy Sr., Bonnie and Lillie Owlboy, Myra Pearson and family, Vanessa and Mark Littleghost, Joey Robertson, Jaylan LaRock and family, Tronis McKay and family and all of his dear friends and relatives. He loved you all.  If we forgot to name someone it was not intentional. Please forgive us as we make our way through this journey of grief.  

A Wake and Prayer Service will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at the Crow Hill Wellness Center beginning at 5:00 p.m.  The procession to CrowHill will leave on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. from the City Plaza, Devils Lake.

Funeral Services will be on Monday, September 11th at 10:00 a.m. also at the Crow Hill Wellness Center with Reverend Larry Thiele officiating. Burial will be in St. Jerome's Cemetery.