Melinda Dawn Moos Liesse, 39, of Eagle River, Anchorage, Alaska, formerly of Circle and Billings, Montana, passed away unexpectedly of unknown causes Monday, June 5, 2017 in Eagle River, Anchorage, Alaska. Her funeral arrangements are with Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston, ND.

Melinda Dawn Moos was born in Circle, Montana on October 15, 1977 to Jim and Rachel Moos. Her older sister, Jennifer, welcomed her and treated her as a gift, and that indeed is what she was. From the beginning, Melinda was strong willed by going where she wanted and doing what she wanted.

Melinda grew up in the Brockway Community. Her family lived on the same farm as her grandparents Albert and Lillian Moos. All the Moos grandchildren came to visit at the farm and there were many adventures and a few misadventures when they were there.

The school at Brockway was open during Melinda’s first years of school. She made many lifelong friends there. When she was in the sixth grade, the Brockway School closed and the kids were all bused into Circle. Melinda remained a loyal Brockway Bullpup and often wore her green sox for ball games that she participated in as a Circle Wildcat. Melinda also attended high school in Circle. She loved sports and was lucky enough to be a player on volleyball and basketball teams that made it to state tournaments.

After graduating, Melinda attended college in Missoula for one year. MSU Billings was the next school she attended and graduate from there with a degree in education. She did her student teaching in Alaska then taught around Billings. Alaska called her back and in 2003, and with the help of her dad moved her up in Melinda’s red ranger and U-Haul. She had many jobs, besides teaching, all around the Anchorage area. It was there she met her friend and husband Kevin Liesse. They were married in November of 2015. They made their home in the Eagle River area along with Melinda’s faithful old dog, Daisy.

Melinda’s life was short, but she did a lot! She saw Europe, both coasts, Hawaii and Las Vegas. She did Mardi Gras and New Years at Times Square. She and Kevin went to Belize and saw much of Alaska together. Melinda had a great smile, laugh and made friends wherever she went. Melinda passed away unexpectedly of unknown causes on June 5, 2017 at home with her “sweet” husband Kevin beside her.

She is survived by her husband Kevin, her parents Jim and Rachel Moos, grandmother Delores Schillinger, sister Jennifer (Robert) Hogan and their children: Trevor, Tina & Travis. Melinda loved seeing the kids and kept up on all their activities. She is also survived by her in-laws: Uncle Art and Aunt Bonnie who were her Alaska family and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by grandparents Walter Schillinger and Albert and Lillian Moos. Melinda grew up next to Albert and Lillian and it broke her heart to lose them.