Melissa Rose, daughter of Doris Desjarlais and late Manuel Littlewind Sr. was born on November 11, 1980 in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Melissa grew up in Spirit Lake Nation, she worked various jobs at the SLC and SLT. She was always laughing and joking around and will always be remembered for her outgoing and caring personality.

Melissa (Missy) was a devoting mother to her 7 children who she loved dearly. Miss loved to sew, make jewelry, always had many projects being worked on, and she also had plans to write an autobiography of her life. She played co-ed with Carmen Littlewind’s team which consisted of Duane, Austin, Lionel, Jon Littlewind, Angie and Rena Little, Arlis, Avis, Joanna Littlewind, and Lindsey Littlewind. In her high school years, she excelled in all of her classes and was an honor student. Missy made lifelong friends with not only her classmates but her instructors and teachers as well. Miss and her high school sweetheart Rusty Hunt became young parents when they welcomed their first son Isaac Hunt. She would bring him to school with her so that she could complete her work. By the time she graduated high school their second son D’Angelo joined their little family. Melissa graduated with the class of 2000 with 28 classmates, at that time it was the biggest class of Four Winds High School and she was proud to be a part of that. After graduating Missy attended Cankdeska Cikana Community College and received her Associates degree in 2004. She also attended Mayville State College taking up her business degree. During this time Rusty and Melissa expanded their family with the oldest girls Trina and Tayonna Hunt, and baby boy Izlee Hunt. Although Rusty and Melissa went their separate ways, Rusty helped raise Talisa and Jordan as his own. While pregnant with Jordan in 2012, she found out she had cervical cancer. At this time, she spent many doctor appointments in Fargo starting her treatment plan and in December of the same year, she had Jordan early due to the cancer. Missy was a cancer survivor and fought 12 years.

Melissa’s loving family, her mother, Doris Desjarlais; siblings, Jason Littlewind, Phyllis DuBois, Stacy Dubois Jr, Fiona Dubois, Marcella Desjarlais, Jerrit Desjarlais, Jonathan Desjarlais, Jenilee Desjarlais, Earl Desjarlais, and Anthony Littlewind; her children, Isaac, D’angelo, Trina, Tayonna, Izlee, Talisa, Jordan; grandchildren, Adam Hunt, Angelita Hunt, Isaac Hunt Jr., and Amani Hunt; her nephews and nieces and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and many other relatives and adopted mom, Johanna Hunt. Miss was known by everybody and had many close friends, apologies if anyone was missed while we are going through this difficult time.

During the ending stages of cancer Missy was also mourning the disappearance of her first-born son, Isaac James Hunt during the month of March 2024, who is still missing to this day. Our family prays she got closure being reunited with him when she passed.

Melissa was preceded in death by her father, Manuel Littlewind Sr.; brother, Manuel Littlewind Jr; her grandparents, Violet and Norbert Fournier; special friend, Lakeisha “Kiki” Charboneau; adopted father, Ronald Hunt Sr.

Pallbearers: Rusty Hunt, Jerrit Desjarlais, Jonathan Desjarlais, D’angelo Hunt, Izlee Hunt, Lionel Littlewind

Honorary Pallbearers: Johanna Hunt and family, Rena Lohnes and family, Blanche Lambert and family, Meada Shaw and family, the Littlewind family, Arlene and Arlis Krulish and family, the Charboneau family, Robertson family, class of 2000, Katie Avdem and family, Kim Ness and family, Curt and Deb Hanson and family.

 

Miss’ Visitation will be on Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 5:00PM-7:00PM followed by a Rosary Service at 7:00PM all at the Crow Hill Rec. Center, Fort Totten, ND.

Friends wishing to join the procession from New Rockford to Fort Totten/St. Michael may gather on the St. Jerome’s road, Fort Totten, prior to 4:15PM.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 13, at 10:00AM at the Crow Hill Rec. Center, Fort Totten, ND.

Her Burial will be at the St. Jerome’s Cemetery, Fort Totten, ND.