Carmen Keupp

Carmen Rae (Griffiths) Keupp was born May 10, 1936, to Evan and Helen (Donegan) Griffiths. She graduated from Custer  (S.D.) High School in 1954. She loved reconnecting with her classmates over the years, always making a point to plan their class reunions to make sure they stayed in touch.
Carmen valued hard work and friendship in equal measure. She worked for the U.S. Forest Service and owned and operated the Roundup Motel in Custer with her family. For 31 years she was a librarian with the Custer School District. Upon retiring, she was one of the founding members of the Freedom Frolickers, a group of Custer School District retirees.
Crafting was one of Carmen’s greatest passions. Fabric chalkboards, tea towels and mop dolls were her best sellers at the craft shows she loved participating in. More than selling crafts, she always looked forward to visiting with customers and hearing about their children or grandchildren.
Her own children and grandchildren were the center of her world. Carmen took great care and time to pass her wisdom and skills on to all of her family. She always brought a new crafting project every Thanksgiving so her grandchildren could have something unique and thoughtful to give their family and friends by Christmas. She bought them their own sewing kits and scrapbooking supplies so they could share her joy of creating. And she spent hours baking with her family, sharing all of her delicious recipes with anyone who asked.
Carmen was an avid animal lover. She was devoted to each and every one of her many dogs (Eb, Prince, Pilgrim, Henry and Molly) and cats (Samantha, Thumbelina, Sam and Sally). In her time living in Arvada, Colo., she spent much of her days watching over and feeding the squirrel community who took up residence outside her porch.
Throughout her life, she loved gardening, maintaining not only her own prolific garden, but also those of her family, neighbors, church, apartment complex and anyone else who asked.
Carmen proudly lived in Custer, S.D., for most of her life, always calling it home.  In 2012 she moved to Colorado to be closer to family, but returned to Custer to visit many times in the last 12 years.
Carmen passed away peacefully July 11, 2024, in Wheat Ridge, Colo. She was 88.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Ray Griffiths and Mary Jane (Griffiths) Berst.
Carmen is survived by her daughter, Michele (Darrel) Schmidt; son, Brett Richmond; daughter, Shelly (Brian) Paulk; son, Brian (Shauna) Keupp; grandchildren, Heather (Matt), Darrek (Candace), Bethany (Kyle), Shelby, Hailey and Carly; and great-grandchildren Devin, Emery, Sloane, Daxtyn, Lily and Irving.
Memorial services will be Saturday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. at Custer Community Church, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. All are welcome to attend.
Carmen will be laid to rest in Custer Cemetery during a private family graveside service.