Malisa Sue "Missy" Wicka

Malisa "Missy" Sue Wicka, age 55, of Beach, North Dakota, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025, in the comfort of her home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Grace Church with Pastor Ben Baker officiating. Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Missy was born on January 16, 1969 in Salem, Oregon to Laurence and Sharon (Messer) Schoonover, the second youngest of ten children. She grew up in Lexington, Oregon, hunting with her dad, spending lots of time with cousins, and helping her parents at their family cabin and restaurant, "The Tamarack," in the mountains of Oregon. In high school, she was crowned Rodeo Princess and, later, Rodeo Queen.
It was during Missy's rodeo days that she met Les Barnhart. They later married in 1989, and that same year, they moved to Montana and started a family. Together, they had five children and were also foster parents to others. While following Les from rodeo to rodeo and raising their children, she also pursued her nursing career. Eventually, they moved to North Dakota, where she continued raising her children, gaining ten of her greatest blessings who call her "Nana." As an avid animal lover, Missy has had many pets throughout the years, but she leaves behind her best friend, Walter.
Missy's life was centered around family. Despite the distance, she remained close to family members, having daily phone calls, coffee dates with her mom, and many trips to Oregon. She took her love for her family and extended it even further to her children and grandchildren. She was welcoming to any friend her children brought home, attended countless activities, and was their biggest supporter in all events and life. As much as she loved being a mom, her favorite title was Nana. In her eyes, her grandchildren could do no wrong. Every spare moment was spent spoiling them, playing board games, having sleepovers, and running around to any event they had, never complaining or saying no. Her bright smile and contagious laugh brought joy and fun to every gathering. Missy's love of people allowed her to make a friend of any stranger wherever she went. Her friends and family describe her as being strong-willed, sharp-witted, and sarcastic while also caring, loving, and outgoing. She was never one to back down from a challenge and loved any opportunity to prove people wrong. You could always count on her for the latest NASCAR updates, specifically Kyle Busch. No words can adequately describe how much she will be missed, but the impact left on those she leaves behind will always remain.
Missy is joined in Heaven with her dad, Laurence Schoonover. She is well remembered on earth by her mom, Sharon Schoonover; son, Layton Barnhart (Nikki) and their children, Sophie and Madi; daughter, Tayler Schwab (Jimmy) and their children, Kaylea, Hadley and Coen; daughter, Elizabeth Muruato (Gus) and their children, Aria, Della, Hudson, and Iris; daughter, Monica Barnhart and her son, Leo; son, Butch Barnhart; her siblings, Nancy Stoy, Victoria Anderson, David Edwards (Vanessa), Shellie Schoonover (Will), Tami Schoonover, Kay Schoonover, Lauri Schoonover, Tina Nyberg, and Kenny Nyberg as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.