Melidie Ilona Miner-Swallow was born to Elverna Thunder Hawk and Nelson Miner on March 8,1942 on the Cheyenne River Reservation.  At 78, she passed away at home among family in the morning of February 9, 2021. Melidie spent her early years in a log cabin along the Little Marrow River on the Cheyenne River Reservation.  As a youth she attended "The Old Agency" boarding school close to the Missouri River.  In 1960, the family moved to Rapid City.  Melidie met her future husband, Victor Swallow in 1967 and married in 1969.  To this union was born Colin Swallow, Kate Swallow and Vikki Swallow.  Later they adopted grandson, Nathan Swallow.

Melidie enjoyed a good bargain and went to rummage sales and shopped at thrift stores.  She enjoyed being outdoors working in her yard and planting flowers in the spring and setting up Christmas lights in the winter.  She loved going to Red Shirt Table on Pine Ridge Reservation to hike in the badlands, pick choke cherries, dig wild turnips, cut wild sage and look for unique rocks.  She enjoyed all activities taken place at the Red Shirt arbor which consisted of family reunions, picnics, pow wows, and soup cook-offs.

She is survived by her husband, Victor Swallow of 52 years; their children, Colin Swallow, Kate Swallow, Vikki Swallow and Nathan Swallow. Her grandchildren, Kelly Swallow, Amanda Swallow, and Peyton Swallow; five great grandchildren; three brothers and one sister.  Melidie's loving friends are Erma LaPlante, Suzanna Swallow, Josephine Fast Wolf, Shirley Miner, Cousin Faye Rousseau and Aunt Elma Dupree.

She was proceed in death by her parents; one sister, and four brothers.

A memorial service will be held in the late Spring.  We love you and we will miss you Melidie.