A memorial service celebrating the life of Melissa Dawn Tennant will be held at the Tulare United Church on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Melissa went to be with God on Sunday, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital. Rev. Deb Mack and Pastor Lorah Houser Jankord will officiate. Internment of the cremains will be held immediately following the service at Tulare Cemetery.

Melissa was born June 30, 1968 in Coffeyville, KS to Donna (Martin) and Dale Rexwinkle. She graduated from Lenapah High School in1986 and then attended Coffeyville Community College on a softball scholarship. She graduated from Washburn University with a paralegal degree and moved to Tulare, South Dakota in 1989 with first husband Todd Koester. Her daughter Kaitlon was born in 1988, Kailee in 1991, and Molly in1994. Son Dillon was born in 1993. She married Brad Tennant on August 5, 2005.

Melissa worked for Gallagher & Battey Law Office in Redfield and then as an appraiser for the Spink County and Brown County Director of Equalization offices. She also worked for the Lions Eye Bank. In May 2007, she graduated from Presentation College with a degree in biology and was enrolled at Northern University pursuing her Masters in Education until the cancer forced her to quit. She was a member of Tulare United Church. She valued time with her family and enjoyed attending her children's school and sports events. Melissa also earned her black belt in Tao Kwon Do.

Thankful for sharing her life are her surviving family and friends: Husband: Brad Tennant, Aberdeen, SD, Children: Kailee, Dillon & Molly Koester, Tulare, Father: Dale (Elaine) Rexwinkle, Monkey Island, OK, Mother: Donna Stair, Redfield, Step Brother: David (Melissa) Stair, Hoyt, KS, Step Sisters: Rita (Ed) Carbondale, KS, Lisa (Bob) McMillin, Emmett, KS. She is also survived by and thankful for special friends Galen & Deanna Koester, the guardians of her children.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Kaitlon in 2003 and her grandparents.

Melissa asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Tulare United Church and designated to the Melissa Tennant Campership fund.