Melvina Snow

Melvina was born on October 24, 1942, to the proud parents, Jim Snow II and Julia Horn. Her siblings include Alberta, Jim III, Elinor, Winona, Elwell (Ozzie), Kermit, Gilbert Peter, Lulu Ann, and Alta. Born and raised on the Snow ranch in Hays, she attended the Mission Grade School, where she graduated the 8th grade. She then left for Flandreau Indian High School, where she graduated in 1960. She met Robert Healy II, and they married in March 1962 (later divorcing in 1973) and then left for California, part of the relocation Act, along with her sisters and brothers. When Robert got a job in Chicago, they picked up and moved to the "Windy City," where she would also get a job working for Proctor & Gamble. They were very active with the Chicago Indian Center and had a lot of friends who were also part of the Relocation Act. They were very active in bowling, where she had a league high average of 176. She moved back home in late 1972 and went back to college after a brief stay in Lodge Pole. In 1977 she earned a BSN from Montana State University Nursing Program in Bozeman in 3 ½ years, all while raising four kids as a single mother. After graduating, the Minot School of Nursing asked her to teach, but refused, as she wanted to come home and help her own people. She then came home to work for IHS, where she worked until retiring in August 1998. Along the way, she met Francis "Frosty" Werk whom she married on May 14, 1977, and later divorced in 1987. She then went to work for the Tribal Health Dept for three years before going to work for the Phillips County Hospital as Nurse and Shift Supervisor from March 2001 to May 2002. She was then asked to come back to work as PHN Nurse (5/2-4/3) and then as the Diabetes Coordinator in 2004 by Councilman Ray Chandler. She would eventually retire for good on October 31, 2006, and move back to Hays. She lived in Chinook for a brief time with her son Gilbert and Grandson Kris, whom she raised for a few years. After her daughter Sheronda graduated from Chinook she moved back home where she stayed until her homecoming to the Great Spirit and her family left before her. She loved doing crossword puzzles, in pen just to show off, jigsaw puzzles, camping, bingo and her walks to the road and back. She mainly loved to spend time with any and all of her grand kids and great grand kids.
Tiny started Sun Dancing in 1983 to help out one of her sons who was going through some rough times. She earned the right to be a Pipe Carrier and continued to support traditional ceremonies. While going through this ceremony, she became very close to Joe Ironman Sr., who would then adopt her as a sister and take her under his wing. She was well loved and respected by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her father Jim, mother Julia, stepmother Bertha; sister's Deanna Boe, Elinor Sullivan, Judy Gray, Alta Martin, Louella Werk, Winona Gives, Alberta Snow, Caroline Nez Perce, and Loulou Snow. Her brother's Kermit II, Elwell "Ozzie" and James "Snowman"
She is survived by her five children, Kermit III "Dale," Monty, Robert "JR" III (Denise), Sheronda (Ryan), and Gilbert (Shyana), and a special place in her heart for Collin Monteau whom she called "My Lil' Sweetheart". Numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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