MELISSA DAWN CHASKE

Melissa Dawn Chaske, “O’ta c’inpi Win” (Desired Woman) 32 of Fort Totten, ND passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks,ND. A Wake for Melissa will be held at the Crow Hill Recreation Center, rural Fort Totten on Wednesday, December 29th beginning at 5:00p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to Fort Totten will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday from Wal-Mart. Funeral services for Melissa will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Crow Hill Recreation Center, rural Fort Totten. Fr. Charles Leute OP will officiate and burial will be in St. Jerome’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Fort Totten in the spring. Serving as Casket Bearers for Melissa will be Wayne Chaske, Willard Chaske, Marlin Little, Kenneth McKay, Corbett McKay and Ronald Eric McKay. Honorary Bearers will be Melissa Denne, Joni Thomas, Faye Thomas, Wanda Chaske, Collette Brown, and Crystal Robertson, Jolene Chaske, Julie Morin and all of Missy’s dear friends and relatives. Melissa Dawn was born on June 5, 1978 at Devils Lake, ND the daughter of John Chaske, Sr. and Ramona (McKay) Chaske. Melissa attended elementary school at Four Winds Community School. She continued her education at Fort Totten and Flandreau Indian School, Flandreau, SD. Melissa completed her G.E.D. at the Quentin Burdick Job Corp Center, Minot, ND. Melissa then continued her education at Moorhead Technical College, receiving her Associates Degree in graphic arts. She also attended two years at the Native American Indian Art School in Santa Fe, NM. Melissa completed the graphics for KABU Radio design, Spirit Lake Tribal Flag and the Tribal License plate. Melissa enjoyed working as a shuttle driver for the Spirit Lake Casino & Resort. She also worked as a Bus Monitor for Four Winds Community School, but had to recently resign due to her health, which was difficult for her since she loved working with children. Our lives have been blessed having Melissa here on earth and our hearts will hold her memory forever. Melissa is survived by her parents, Ramona and John Chaske, Sr.; brothers, Dana (Delinda) Yankton, Sr., Carlyle Yankton, Joel Chaske; sister, Leona (Leon, Sr.) LaRoque; special friend, Harlan Snell and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Missy was preceded in death by her grandparents, Joseph and Marian Chaske, and Jesse and Angeline McKay; daughter, Dawn Rose Snell; and brother, John Chaske, Jr.