Melissa Keezer, age 30, of Waubun, MN, died Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Sanford Health Systems in Fargo, ND.

Melissa Jean Keezer, known best as Middy or Middlez, was born December 23, 1980 in Mahnomen, MN, to Patleen (Kier) and Michael Keezer. Michael died when Melissa was young and she was raised by her mother, Patty, and her step-father, Jeff. They made their home east of Waubun and Middy attended school in Waubun where she graduated with the class of 1999. Shortly following graduation, Melissa began working at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen. During the time she was employed at the casino, she worked in many different areas, but seemed to like dealing Blackjack the best. Melissa was currently working at New Horizon's Resort as a waitress and often assisted Linda and Chris in other areas of the business. She enjoyed the interaction with the people and as a walking advertisement, Middy could often be heard reciting the menu and specials to hungry customers or social networking on the computer or her phone trying to entice people to come out and eat. Melissa was also looking forward to this fall as she was enrolled at the White Earth Tribal Community College.

Middlez liked to hang out with her friends and be with family. Even though she had no children of her own, Melissa loved to have kids around to watch over and entertain, especially her nieces and nephews. They always brought a smile to her face. Middy also enjoyed traveling, watching movies, playing games and chatting online with friends and family. She was a good hearted person with a very generous personality and was often called the town taxi! Middlez will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her parents, Patty and Jeff Straub of Waubun; three brothers: Michael Weaver of Mahnomen, MN, Lee Oppegard of Lino Lakes, MN and Gene (Courtney) Keezer of Waubun; two sisters, Dawn (Lenny Keezer) Kier of Naytahwaush and ShellBell Keezer of Mahnomen; grandparents, Gerry and Ann Straub of Nisswa, MN; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her father, Michael, and several aunts and uncles.

Visitation will begin Friday, June 3, 2011 at 5 pm at the Patty and Jeff Straub Residence and continue until the time of the funeral service on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 11:00 am at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Church in Naytahwaush, MN.

Interment will be at the Kier Family Cemetery, rural Waubun.