Marie Catherine (ne'e Keester) Sepeta

Marie Catherine Sepeta (née Keester), a dedicated nurse and fierce defender of the downtrodden, passed away at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN on February 20, 2026.

Born at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina, on June 9, 1947, Marie was the daughter of Lt. Col. John Frederick and Mrs. Jacqueline Keester. She married the love of her life, Raymond George Sepeta, on May 6, 1967. While Ray served in Vietnam, Marie demonstrated her lifelong strength by raising their first son, Jeff, on her own. Following the war, the family moved to Notre Dame, IN, where Marie supported Ray through his doctoral studies and his subsequent career as a successful Notre Dame wrestling coach.

Marie’s home was a place of warm hospitality. Whether driving a student-athlete across the state to a meet or opening her doors to a champion in need of a place to train, she lived her values. Marie believed in the inherent dignity of all people; she committed herself to being a welcoming ally to minority communities and a steadfast supporter of civil rights.

In 1979, Marie returned to her education. Balancing the demands of motherhood with a deep passion for sociology and psychology, she graduated second in her class from St. Mary’s College. She then embarked on a distinguished 25-year career as a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Medical Center. She spent the first 9 years of her nursing career working in the oncology ward and then transitioned to their outpatient treatment center where she helped people from all walks of life.

Beyond her professional life, Marie was an avid bird watcher, a collector of mustard jars, and a devoted "dog mother" who remained a steadfast supporter of the Humane Society.

Marie is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Ray; her sons, Jeff Sepeta and Mark Sepeta and his wife, Marianne; and her cherished granddaughter, Karina. She also leaves behind her siblings, Stephanie Keester, Monique Cowden and her husband Tim, and Michael Keester and his wife Sue, as well as her brother-in-law, Jim Meyer. Marie’s legacy lives on through her 15 nieces and nephews and 25 grand-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Suzanne Meyer, and her brother, John Frederick Keester.

A visitation will be held Thursday, March 5, from 4-7 pm at Kaniewski Funeral Home. To honor Marie's service as a nurse, a short ceremony will be held at 5:00 pm along with a rosary to be prayed at 6:00 pm during the visitation. A funeral service will follow on Friday, March 6, at 2 pm at Little Flower Parish on Ironwood.

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