Melanie Christiansen was born on June 25, 1960, in Oakland, Maryland to Nancy Kyle and Jim Rogers. She passed away on November 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

During her childhood, Melanie moved with her family to southwest Missouri, where she later graduated from Reeds Spring High School. Soon after graduation, she married Rick Swanson, and together they raised their two boys in the community they loved. Melanie enjoyed being involved in local events, the Chamber, and working alongside Rick at the Port of Kimberling gas dock and many other places over the years. Although life eventually took them in different directions, Melanie stayed especially close to her boys.

She later married her husband, Jim Christiansen and the two of them spent the last 30 years building a full and adventurous life together. They lived on a farm that, at one point, was home to more than 100 horses. Melanie loved going to horse shows and was proud to have earned multiple world championships. She also loved traveling with Jim, and time spent with friends and family always meant the most to her. Some of her happiest, most peaceful moments were the simple ones—relaxing by the creek and watching her grandsons ride ATVs, fish, hunt, and just be boys on the farm. They'll forever cherish these moments with "GMA".

Melanie was preceded in death by her youngest son, Cory Swanson, and her mother, Nancy Kyle. She is survived by her loving husband, Jim Christiansen; her father, Jim Rogers; her sister, Kimberly Johnson and her children and grandchildren; and her son, Chad Swanson, his wife, Amy, and their sons, Brayden and Sawyer.

A celebration of Melanie's life will be held Monday, November 17th at the Table Rock American Legion Post #637 in Kimberling City from 12:00-3:00pm. Flowers or donations welcome. Donations can be made to the Compassionate Friends The Compassionate Friends Non-Profit Organization for Grief or any desired grief or epilepsy research organization desired.