Emily Barnhart

Emily Barnhart, 41, a lifelong Mandan resident, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025, from complications of a stroke. She was surrounded in her final days by her family and friends whom she loved so deeply.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with Pastor Phil Leer officiating. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Cremation has taken place and visitation will be held from 4-6:30 PM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with a Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Emily was born August 1, 1984, the youngest of three children to Mike and Becki (Mulske) Barnhart. Raised and educated in Mandan, she graduated from Mandan High School in 2002. Her parents admit to spoiling her and her brothers to picking on and tormenting her as siblings do. When Emily was in her early teens, the family took a trip to Hawaii, and Emily fell in love with the ocean, beach, and sunsets on the water. Throughout her life she enjoyed numerous trips to various beaches including Oregon, Florida, Mexico, and the Bahamas. She loved exploring new places and creating lasting memories with friends and family. Emily was the family planner and organizer for trips and special occasions. Each year she took a girl’s trip with her Mom, sisters-in-law, and nieces that was full of laughs and countless great memories. Emily loved being Auntie Em and her nephews and nieces adored her. She was friendly and outgoing and had the best laugh. Her smile, energy, and humor filled every room she was in. Emily had many friends throughout her life. Their names, stories, and shenanigans are countless. Emily was often the first person awake each morning and was almost annoyingly punctual, being early to everything. She loved the TV show Friends, hot coffee, and a cold White Claw. Also, she was a terrible cook and put ranch on everything.

In 2013, Emily met her favorite person in the world when her son, Greyson, was born. She was a dedicated single mom and loved him fiercely and made sure his life was full of fun and wonderful experiences. They loved going to the PBR rodeo and Twins games and every night before bed, they shared a ritual argument about who loved who more. They had recently adopted a new puppy, Murphy. Greyson’s hobbies led Emily to become the ultimate cool soccer mom. Other parents looked to her because she always knew the schedule, what field the boys played on, and what time they had to be there. She never missed a practice or a game and was early to everything, still managing to stop for coffee. The sideline antics, cheering (for people not against people…that’s an inside joke!), and all the fun at tournaments bonded the soccer family, and Emily was at the center of it all. She was the unofficial scorekeeper and self-proclaimed loudmouth soccer mom, always “Woo-ing” the loudest when the boys scored, especially her favorite player #20. This past summer Emily, Greyson, and Emily’s parents, Mike and Becki, enjoyed the USA Cup soccer tournament in Minnesota, where Greyson’s team played, followed by a family trip to Minneapolis where they took in a Twins game and had lots of fun.

Emily worked at Paradiso for many years, making many lifelong friendships. Emily loved animals and had numerous pets in her lifetime. She enjoyed working at Heart River Animal Hospital. In September 2023, Emily joined the National Medical Resources family, sharing her wealth of experience from 22 years in customer service. She consistently demonstrated her ability to connect with and support clients. Emily loved her job; it was a perfect fit and she was a valued member of the NMR accounting team.

A devoted mother, caring and thoughtful daughter, adored sister, fun aunt, and a friend to so many, Emily’s passing leaves a hole in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

Blessed to have shared in her life is her son who was the center of her world, Greyson Barnhart, Mandan; parents, Mike & Becki Barnhart, Mandan; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sean (Anne) Barnhart, Linton and Jared (Jenn) Barnhart, Mandan; nephews and nieces, Jude, Julia, Elsie, and Elijah Barnhart; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and so many friends we don’t know where to start.

Emily was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jerry & Dorothy Barnhart and Ray & Dorothy Mulske; uncle Keith Mulske, aunt, Terry Kadrmas; close friends, Amanda Kist and Matt Kamerzell; Greyson’s father, Josh Fox; and beloved pup, Kelly.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred for a fund that will be used for Greyson’s future. Donations can also be made via GoFundMe, or to the Central Dakota Humane Society or Mandan Soccer Club.