Melody White

1950 - 2025

Melody Kay Wenzel White was born June 12th, 1950 in Great Falls, Montana to William Julius Wenzel and Marjorie O'Donnall Keaster. She joined three siblings; Robert Wesley Wenzel, Marjorie Jennette Wenzel, and Judith Lee Wenzel.

She spent most of her childhood with cousins skating, playing softball, and helping her grandparents, aunts and uncles on the ranch lease on the Fort Belknap Reservation. She rode horses, did gardening and helped with chores. None of which were drudgery, but ways to play and use her imagination.

Over the years she taught swimming, worked for the Recreation Department of Great Falls and taught swimming lessons to children with special needs.

In 1973 she started working for LaGrand Farms and went on a custom harvest run for two summers. She worked for Don and Myra LaGrand driving truck, cooking, cleaning, and whatever else needed to be done. Along the way she met many people who encouraged her to return to college and get her degree in K-12 Education.

Melody taught in Two Dot after graduation in 1976 where she met Mac White. They were married in 1977. They had two children; Lanie O'Donnell White January 10th, 1981 and George Harrison White June 9th, 1986.

She returned to school and got her Master's Degree in Reading. She created the Two Dot Reading Clinic. "I teach teachers to teach reading" was how she explained her goals. Melody was passionate about literacy.

Melody spent many years doing the books for McFarland White Ranch and catching the pieces before they made it through the cracks.

In 2009, she joined the Order of the Eastern Star. She was proud of the history, traditions and familial connections. She promoted both Eastern Star and the Masons.

Lanie has a son named Jack O'Donnell Hermanson. Harrison has two children; George Harrison White II and Tucker Jean White. She has an unofficial daughter Rachael Kathleen Spangelo and her daughter Cattleya Lane.

There are many nieces and nephews who are close to her age. They all "grew up" together and were more like her friends having "great adventures". Fun!

All her life she tried to make others' lives easier and teach youth the joy of doing the same. One of the greatest things you can do for someone is to pass along some heartfelt joy. Each day is a new great adventure. Live it as such and pass that along. In that spirit, if you choose to honor Melody, please do so with kindness in your community. Adopt a dog, visit the nursing home, or pay for some school lunches.

Melody wanted a party, so we obliged. Pease join us for a taco bar, and actual bar, at the Barnsion (402 S River Drive, Harlowton MT) Monday October 27, 3 p.m.