Melvine “Mena” Jewel Birthmark Merculieff, Wambdencia Owayanka Winyan “Girl that Looks for Orphans”, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 taking her last breath at 6:15 a.m. at Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana surrounded by her family.
“Mena” 49, was born to Melvin D. Birthmark and Gloria F. Fast Horse at Poplar Hospital on August 26 th , 1966. She was named after her dad Melvin and he gave her the middle name Jewel because she was her daddy’s jewel. Her maternal Grandpa George Fast Horse could not say her name, Melvine, as he was a fluent in our language and spoke very little English, so he called her “Mena” and the nickname followed her throughout her life. She was raised in Brockton and Poplar, MT where she attended grade school. She went off to boarding school and graduated 8 th grade from Circle of Nations Indian School in Wahpeton, ND. She then attended High school at Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, SD. She later came home to Poplar and received her GED at Fort Peck Community College in 1985. She went to college and graduated with an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Building Trades. While in college she specialized in roofing, siding, masonry, concrete, and framing. She also took part in building FPCC’s Toka Tibi Bookstore where she put her hand prints in the concrete under the structure.
“Mena” held many jobs which included housekeeping- Billings, MT, telemarketing- Williston, ND, home healthcare worker (CNA) – Poplar, MT, Walmart Associate- Williston, ND, Kum & Go Clerk- Watford City, ND, Main Cage Cashier at Four Bears Casino and Lodge New Town, ND, Laundry worker at American Linen Laundry for different hospitals in the area-Billings, MT, laborer for Fort Peck Tribes, Certified Flagger TERO, landscaping and a bartender- Williston, ND. She was a jack of all trades meaning she could do any job, and fix any sort of problem with little supplies. She could also make a huge meal out of very little ingredients and always fed whoever walked into her door and clothed those that were in need. Nothing about her was selfish. She was also an organ donor; after she left this world her eyes were donated. Four people have the gift of sight, because of her generosity. She loved to read romance novels; her favorite author is Danielle Steele. She also liked to do crossword puzzles and always made sure to support the powwow committees by playing bingo at the activity center. She liked to cook and clean, make frybread or “moon bread” while listening to music. She liked to play whist and other card games, dice, Yahtzee, dominos, and scrabble. She was very competitive when it came to games. She always had a lot of friends, and most she took as brothers and sisters. She loved all of her Grandchildren very much. She used to care for her Grandson Victor when he was a baby and nicknamed him “Bubba” because he was chepa. After he learned to talk he called her “Grandma Bubba” After while her other grandchildren Bryce, Jeorgie, Chant’e and Mahto all call her Grandma Bubba. So it was another nickname that stuck.
Mena took pride in all of her children and especially her grandchildren and loved all of them dearly. She is survived by all of her 10 children that she brought into the world. Six daughters from oldest to the youngest: Amanda (Kristofer) Fast Horse-Boyd of Poplar, MT, Jessica(Jens) Winge- Peterson of Flaxville, MT, Katherine (Gordon) Leibrand of Scobey, MT, Diana Imlay of Malta, MT, Kayla (Gordon) Little Head of Wolf Point, MT, Tyrae Birthmark of Las Vegas, NV and four sons- Richard Baros Schwan of Aberdeen, SD, Kevin (Charleda) Standing of Wolf Point, MT, Carlos Pedraza III, and Malcolm (Dorell) GoodBird Jr. of Poplar, MT. She also had 3 adopted daughters by Sioux tradition are: Rita (Becky) Diserly of Santa Rosa, CA, Marian (Josh) White Bull, and Rachel (Chris) Youpee of Poplar, MT. Her adopted sons by Sioux tradition are: Dale Fox of Mandaree, ND, Daniel Diserly, Kristofer Boyd, Wyatt Bergie, Lawrence “Fat Boy” Fast Horse, Brandon Buckles, William Lambert III, Mesha Cloke, and Josh Black Thunder all of Poplar, MT. 24 Grandchildren are Bryce, Jeorgie Cleo, Victor, Chante Was’aka, and Mahto Witko; Kaila & Maximus; Aiden & Curtis; Deva Mae; Gabriel; Drake; Simone; Denisia Jade; Nicholas, Kassidy, Jaden, Aubrey, Alyssa, Darren Dant’e, and 2 unborn grandchildren.
She is survived by her Parents: Gloria and Arlie Diserly. Her husband, Virgil Vernon Merculieff, whom she married on September 20 th , 2013 in Fort Peck Tribal Court. They began their relationship 11 years ago and made a home together in Poplar, MT. No children came from this union; however she took his children as her own. In all of her sickness towards the end Virgil was right by her side and never left her, even when she took her last breath. She is also survived by her Brothers: Marvin FastHorse of Sandstone, MN, Randy (Teema) Birthmark of Oklahoma City, OK, Frank Diserly of Poplar, MT. Her Sisters: Diana (Lee) Tuttle and Dinah Diserly of Poplar, MT. She had many adopted sisters by Sioux tradition: Anita Hale, Michelle Youngman, Teresa Melbourne, Jamie Red Thunder, Mary Savior, Rena Williams, Faryl Pedraza, Danette Scott, Elaine Scott, and Michelle Aims Back all of Poplar. Adopted Brothers by Sioux Tradition are: Verle (Mary) Follette, August and Austin Spotted Wolf, Donny Buck Elk, Lewis Martell, Martin Martell, Ritchie Deleon, Gerred (Jen) Red Eagle, Emerson Comes Last Sr., Robert Eder Sr., and Terry Two Hearts all of Poplar, MT. Special Aunts & Uncles are: Victor (Maggie) Fast Horse of Billings, MT; Diane Chase, Sandra Birthmark, Sheldon Birthmark all of Poplar, MT. Henrietta Star of Williston, ND; Delilah Birthmark- Martin of Sioux Falls, SD; Bud Phillbrick of Brockton, MT; and John & Rose Morsette of Poplar, MT. Cousins: Kitty, Ears, Marty, Henry, Sly, Bernice, Denise, Punky, Dion, Beaver, Dawn, Donelle, Danny, Delphine, Leanda, Jonnie, Mavis, “Jr” Maurice, Maureen, Lester Sr., Lorna, Leonard, Michael T, and Jaqueline. Cousins too numerous to mention.
Melvine was preceded in death by her Father, Melvin D. Birthmark; Brother, Kevin Alfred Birthmark; Grandparents: maternal-George & Julia Fast Horse and paternal- Clarence Melbourne and Jeanette Smith; Unborn grandson: Cody Rae Birthmark; Aunts & Uncles: Joanne Fast Horse, Irene and Cecelia Martin, Leo Jasper and Thomas Martin, Lorance Fast Horse, Lynn Birthmark, Mike Fast Horse, Edwin Fast Horse Sr., Elaine Fast Horse, Nancy Martin, John Fast Horse Sr. Cousins: Delphine, Roberta, Max, Gerald, and Pinky Lone Bear, Bernadine Fast Horse, Jake, Leo, Clifford, Samson, Allen and Betty Martin, Duane Martin, Mary & Mike Ireland. Adopted Family by Sioux tradition is Mom, Mavis Hernandez. Sisters; Constance Youngman and Denise Longtree. Relations last names are Birthmark’s, Fast Horse’s, Ireland’s, Wise Spirit’s, Melbourne’s, Longee’s, Jones’s, First’s, Spotted Bird’s, Jackson’s, Longtree’s, Lone Bear’s, Martin’s, Star’s, Four Star’s, Shields, Drum’s, Birds’, Cain’s, Iron Rhodes, Lester’s, Buck Elks, Plenty Chiefs, Joshua’s, and Rainbows. If we have forgotten to remember anyone’s name we apologize, it was not intentional.