Mass of Christian Burial for Melinda Sherwood, age 54, of McLaughlin will be at 9:30 AM, CT, Monday July 1, 2013 at St. Bede's Catholic Church in Wakpala. Burial will be at 3 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 5 PM Sunday with a Rosary service at 7 PM at the funeral home. Melinda passed away Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Sanford Health in Bismarck.

Melinda Marie Sherwood was born to Bill and Midge (Mathison) Sherwood on November 12, 1958. She blessed the lives of her two older brothers and one sister. Mindy was a special soul from the very beginning. She was born with Down's Syndrome and the doctors advised her family that they might be better off leaving her in the hospital to be institutionalized because she would never be able to walk or talk, and would never live beyond the age of 10-12. However, her family adored her from the start and she was taken home where she was raised in a loving environment filled with many loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was never hidden from the world and went wherever and did whatever her family did.

Mindy attended elementary school with her nieces Michealle and Denise, where she learned to read and write her name and numbers, a skill that she practiced many times during her life. She went to special education where she developed many friendships which she treasured until the very end.

During her life, Mindy developed a passion for Soap Operas, especially Days of Our Lives. She never missed an episode and could give a complete play by play of the whole story line for the past 30 years; she was a very devoted fan. Every week she would make a trip to pick up the latest editions of any and all Soap Opera magazines there were.

Another one of her passions was music of all types, but her all-time favorite artist was Elvis. Her favorite song was "Love Me Tender". Most recently, she developed a taste for Michael Buble' and also had a touch of "Bieber Fever" while listening to Justin Bieber.

She loved her pet and constant companion, Katie Rose. Each time Katie would go to the groomers, Mindy would reward her with an order of french fries from Burger King; Katie misses her dearly.

Mindy's health has slowly deteriorated over the last four years. She met each new challenge with a brave and smiling face, but was unable to regain her health from this latest illness. Mindy entered the spirit world on June 23, 2013 surrounded by her loving family.

Although we will miss our beloved "Min", we know we will all be reunited with her one day.

Mindy is survived by 2 brothers, Bill (Deb) Sherwood of Wakpala, Greg Sherwood of Wakpala, adopted brothers; Dale Weasel, Harold Tiger, and Robert "Boy" Tiger, Jr., one sister, Candace Sherwood of McLaughlin, adopted sisters; Fern White Buffalo, Velia Salas, Stephanie Tiger, Shelly Tiger, Bobby Tiger, Rhonda Pay Pay, Brandi Tiger, Ardyss Morsette, Barb Schrempp, Stacey LeCompte, and Gale Tiger, and one aunt, Donna Mae Sherwood, and adopted dad Robert Tiger, Sr. Nephews; Steve (Billie Jo) Sherwood of Wakpala and Highmore, Dennis Sherwood of Wakpala, Kyle Claymore Baker of Wakpala, Justin (Rose) Baker of Cannon Ball, ND, Ace (Marlys) Baker of LaConner, WA. Nieces; Michealle Sherwood of Watford City, ND, Denise (Leonard) Feist of New Castle, WY, Suzanne Sherwood of Isabel, SD, Jessica (Jeremy) Lester of Cannon Ball, ND, Tiffany Baker (Nathaniel Brown) of Aberdeen, SD, Georgia (Robert) Bears Heart of Aberdeen, SD, Stormie Baker (Shane Bad Warrior) of McLaughlin, SD, and Steph (Tim) Holzer of Mobridge, SD. Grandchildren Brandy Faenhrich, Dusty Helland, Mellissa Heid, Chance Heid, Ty Heid, Logan Heid, and Luke Heid, Zane and Wendy Sherwood, Amanda and Jeremy Feist, Kailee and Kenna Webb, Nicholas Good House, Cyrus, Titan, Helen, Kyle Jr., and Gregory Baker, Mya, Christian, and Holly Baker, Cory, Charles, Ace Jr., Raymond and August Baker, Felix, Delaney, Jeremy, Jr., and Emma Jayne Lester, Aceanna and Marley Brown, Olivia Bears Heart and Kaitlyn Holzer. Also surviving are nieces Georgi Baker, Jo Baker, Sina Shaw, Nikki McMillan and nephews Tom Baker, Jr., Denver Baker, and Myrtis Baker, and 1st cousins; Donna Lou (John) Laverdure, Patti Nyugen, Bobbie Carol Widman, Marcie Kahl, Leslie Cribben, Todd Sherwood, Mary Lou Jones, Donna Jean Calhoun, Sybil, Silvie, and Monica Robinson. Mindy is also survived by many other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Bill and Midge Sherwood, grandparents; Harry and Martina Sherwood, Martin and Julia Mathison, sister-in-law; Vicky Sherwood, nephew; William "B" Sherwood, granddaughter Candace Rose Baker, aunts, and uncles; Fred and Marguerite Sterns, Harold and Mary Martin, Lenore Robinson, Norma Mathison, Don and Mary Lou Sherwood, and Bob Sherwood.

Special thank you to the Standing Rock Ambulance Service, LCDR Carletta Aberle, CNP and Jewel Schell, RN, IHS ER Staff, Sanford Medical Center (4th floor medical staff, and ICU Staff) for the wonderful, loving care they gave our special angel.

Honorary Casketbearers Jeanne Janson, Marcia Berg, Toni Eagleman, Sandy Gipp, Jeannette Cluett, Loretta Bad Heart Bull, Geraldine "Aggie" Agard, Patti Jean Phillips, Debbie Stiles, and Emmaline Moran.