Melanie Jo Hill, a daughter of Kenneth and Helen Hill, was born on November 19, 1974 in Rolette, ND.  Melanie was educated and spent most of her life in North Dakota, moving to various small towns throughout her time with us.

When Melanie was 13, she met the love of her life John Stewart and they had a daughter Cortney Rennock in 1993.  They later married.  This marriage later ended.  Melanie went on to remarry and have another daughter, Connor Maki in 1997.  In 2008, Melanie and John reconnected and spent the rest of their time together until John's disappearance in January of 2024.

Before Melanie was diagnosed with breast cancer, she worked in various restaurants around North Dakota sharing her skill in the kitchen and love for food.  When she wasn't working, Melanie and John spent their days visiting friends, family, cooking and enjoying their time together.  Though many couldn't understand the type of love they shared, they both agreed that their love was eternal and they exchanged intimate vows, just the two of them at the Rendall Church just north of the family farm.

Melanie passed away on September 10, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Center in Bottineau after her long 8-year battle with cancer.  Melanie is survived by her daughters, Cortney and Connor; step-children, Jewel, Leo and Kelley; 7 grandchildren and more on the way; father, Kenneth and 2 brothers, Troy (Robin) and Byron (Chassidy)

Melanie is preceded in death by her mother Helen Hill; step-father, Vernolle Hill; step-mother, Neva Rainy; grandparents; aunts; uncles; and the whereabouts of the love of her life, John are still unkown.