Melodie Rebecca Kingbird

Melodie Rebecca Kingbird

June 19, 1974 ~ March 27, 2022 (age 47)

Melodie Rebecca Kingbird, “Miigisabiik“ (Little Eagle Woman) of the Turtle Clan, age 47, of Ponemah, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Red Lake IHS Hospital, Red Lake, Minnesota.

Melodie was born June 19, 1974, in Red Lake, to Ona Kingbird and Eugene LeQuire. When she was but a baby, her family moved to Minneapolis where she grew up and attended Heart of the Earth Survival School, Anderson Elementary, Upper Midwest, and Roosevelt High School where she graduated. She was active in school, becoming a cheerleader. As a young girl, her mother taught Melodie their native traditions which became a big part of her life. She became a champion Fancy Shawl dancer, was a Red Lake Nation princess, and traveled to pow wows all over the US and Canada. As an adult, Melodie continued her traditions by passing her knowledge on to her children.

Melodie became mother to three sons, Anthony, Brendan and Sean. Later she moved her family back to Ponemah to be closer to her mother. She loved fishing, enjoyed all kinds of music, loved attending concerts, and was especially good at taking pictures of the sunrise and sunset. Melody is remembered as a giving person, wanting to help others before herself. She loved children and worked as a paraprofessional in the Ponemah school. At one time, she set up a clothing depot in her home in order to provide clothing, blankets, coats and other needed items to the children at school. She was outgoing and friendly and had a gift of making you look on the brighter side of life. She loved to make others laugh with her stories and her “Mel” moments. Melodie is going to be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Those greeting Melodie in the spirit world are her parents, Ona and Eugene; grandparents Daniel and Madeline Raincloud and Fred and Rebecca LeQuire; brother Dunsey; special aunt Mousey; niece LaTasha; and nephews David, Zeke, and Rocky.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sons Anthony, Brendan (Alycia), and Sean; grandson A. J.; siblings Isaac (Cheryl), Doug (Naomi), Bonnie, Jeffrey (Cheryl), Randy (Tara), Brenda (Larry), Manny (Mary), Mark (Val), Lydia, Yvonne, Thomas (Leeanne), Dixie, Simone, Brian, and Rick; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

A wake for Melodie will begin Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 1:00pm, at the Boys & Girls Club, Ponemah, Minnesota, and will continue until the service on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 11:00am. Allen Hardy will serve as Spiritual Leader.

Pallbearers caring for Melodie will be Roger, Randy ‘Peach’, Buddy, Mike, Julian Sr., Lil Jeff, Ron, Matthew, Michael, and Charlie. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tony, Matthew, Anthony, Brendan (Alycia), Sean, grandson A.J., Cheryl H., Adrienne, Sarah, Zerelda, Darlene, Robin, Lisa, Liz, Rosie, Stacy, Bridget, Renee, Calvin, Tammy, Shontal, Brande, Nanette, Daylen, Robbie, Harold, Willie, Dell, Millie, Vala, Tanya, Brittney, Kayla, Sharae, Erica, Jessica, Sammy, Briana, Serena, Rosalind, Averi, Autumn, Loretta, Jennifer, Maliyah, Destiny, Mikaela, Betty F., Betty S., Frank, Billy, Rose, Norby, Velma, and Julian Jr. Burial will follow in the Raincloud Family Burial Ground, Ponemah.

Arrangements are being provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, Walker, Minnesota.

Services

Wake

Thursday

March 31, 2022

1:00 PM

Boys and Girls Club (Ponemah, Minnesota)

Funeral Service

Saturday

April 2, 2022

11:00 AM

Boys and Girls Club (Ponemah, Minnesota)