Melvin K. Jackson

Melvin K. Jackson, 76, of Sauk Centre passed into the spirit world August 18, 2015 at the CentraCare Hospital in St. Cloud, MN; he had an ongoing battle with liver & kidney failure.
Mel, Walking Eagle, Chief, Z, full of fun, good humor, mischief, and daring, was the “Kokopelli” of his tribe. He had been an escort for “Tony’s Tours” keeping the casino runners entertained. His farewell on each trip was “Tony thanks you, and I thank you for the new moccasins for all my children.” According to Mel, there were three B’s; beer, brandy & bingo. Ever a charmer, Mel believed in replenishing the tribe, he had 4 wives and 17 children.
Mel Anaquat (Cloud) was born April 6, 1939 in White Earth, MN. Having lost his mother at age 5, he was sent to American Indian Boarding schools in Wahpeton, ND, and Pipestone, MN, here he was immersed in European-American culture and forced to abandon his Native American identity, culture, and language – this made him all the more rebellious. He eventually turned his energy into creativity, producing beautiful dream catchers, snuff drums, earrings, drawings, and key chains; all of Ojibway color & nature. Attending Pow-Wows, he would tear up at every entry, so proud of his Native American people. Mel, true to his heritage was a natural at hunting & fishing, gardening, cloud visions, and communing with the animals.
Mel graduated from Akeley High School, the Greer Tech Institute in Chicago, and White Bear Community College. During his working years, he had been employed as a landscaper, truck driver, auto mechanic, and a free-lance handy man. A “Jack-of-all trades” he could repair most anything. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer & Iona and sister, Leona.
Mel is survived by his sister, Betty Price, brother, Elmer, Jr., children, Jackie T., Debbie, Melvin, Jr., Jeremy, Matthew, Klye, Margarita, Audrey, Leona, as well as other children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of life for Mel will be at Diamond Point on Sauk Lake, September 13, 2015. Visitation starting at 12:00 pm, traditional outdoor service at 2:00 pm, followed by a feast. Please bring your Mel stories and jokes.