1956 - 2022
MELVIN“BUTCH” GENE KNIFE, of the Blood Tribe, beloved husband of Mrs. Pauline Knife and loving father of Laine Knife and Lyndon Knife, passed away suddenly at the South Health Campus in the radiology department in Calgary, Alberta on Monday, October 31, 2022 at the age of 66 years. Melvin was born on May 18, 1956 at the Blood Indian Hospital in Cardston, Alberta. He was the youngest of seven children to Louis Knife Sr. and Mary Louise (McDonald-Trollenger) Knife. Melvin received his grade 10 education at FP Walsh Senior high school in Fort Macleod, Alberta. In the mid-1980s to early 2000 Melvin worked for the Foothills Detoxification Centre in Fort MacLeod as supervisor on shift. He was the boss on shift and he was responsible for running the facilities daily operation, duties included: office work, client intake, client assessing, filling forms, referrals, report writing, 1 to 1 counseling, group sessions, and staff training. Other employment Melvin worked for the Livingston Range School Division in Fort Macleod as a teacher, the school was at a group home located south of Fort Macleod. At the group home Melvin worked as a case worker and was employed by the Lethbridge Children Services. Melvin took this job because he wanted to know the effects of alcohol and drugs on children when the adults with children drank and took drugs. He saw the harmful effects known as FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). Melvin had some children under his care with FAS. Past employment included ranchhand for the Blood Band Ranch, irrigation operator for the Blood Tribe Irrigation District, construction worker for Winter Works, Boychuk Construction., Security at the Blood Tribe Health Center, medical driver for the Blood Tribe Medical Transportation. Health conditions forced Melvin to move away from employment and devoted much of his time with family. He dearly loved his two boys and raised them how he knew best, raising livestock. He grew up on a ranch, located in lower standoff, where his Dad and Mom ran a full-time, mixed cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and chicken operation. They also farmed their own lands and marketed their own hay to local farmers and for their own use. Melvin often recollected his upbringing, he cherished the stories. His dad told him about the history of the land, the reserve, Blackfoot culture and beliefs, and he spoke Blackfoot fluently. Melvin followed traditions, both Blood traditions, and Catholic. The tools and knowledge Melvin acquired throughout his upbringing, and the love he had for animals, he carried this on to his two boys. Melvin was an ABP (Alberta Beef Producer), he received recognition from Alberta beef producers, CCA (Canadian Cattlemen Association), and Vannee auction market for his calves. They were quality, stocky, beefy calves. Melvin ran a full-time cow- calf heifer replacement program and raised horses on the Homestead with his family. The cow herd came from the one calf he bought for his two boys when he was working for detox in Fort Macleod. Each morning before work Melvin got up extra early to go feed that one calf and again after work. During branding season he would brand his calves and doctor them on his own with the help of his two boys and a friend he called “Hutterite George”. Melvin raised his two boys with a lot of love, attention, care, and devotion, he taught them the ranch life he knew and loved. He spent a lot of time with his two boys caring for their livestock until he could no longer do so due to his health. Melvin retired from the cattle business. He dealt with Albert Carlson of Mountain View in Bull Rental to include Lon Carlson and Don Ripley. Melvin had a unique gift, he made friends with everyone wherever he went. The young and old, and he loved to chit chat. His laugh filled up the room, he was heartwarming, considerate, compassionate, caring, honest, and devoted. Melvin always said “there is no goodbye, we will see each other again.“ Melvin loved his family very much. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Pauline Knife of 40 years, his two boys, Laine Knife and Lyndon Knife and grandson Dylan. Melvin came from a large family of seven children. He was predeceased by his dad, Louis Knife Sr. and mother Mary Louise (MacDonald-Trollinger) Knife; brothers, Louis Knife Jr., Ralph Knife, Surviving siblings Emelda (Gilbert) Black Water, Evangeline (Larry) Provost, Joan (Morton) Eagle Speaker, Randy Knife, Joe (Margaret) Knife, Ed (Tammy) Knife, Teresa (Levi) Black Water, Pauline Steinhauer, and Bernadette, and adopted brother Andrew Bullcalf. Melvin took Andrew as a brother because Andrew was raised by Melvin‘s parents. Melvin’s good friend was Arthur Sweet Grass.
The Wake Service will be held on Wednesday, November 9 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 10 at 11:00 am at Legacy Funeral Home with Father Pawel Andrasz officiating. Interment to follow in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Stand Off, AB.
The Wake Service will be held on Wednesday, November 9 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 10 at 11:00 am at Legacy Funeral Home with Father Pawel Andrasz officiating. Interment to follow in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Stand Off, AB.