Misti Rachael Hope Onstad

Misti grew up in Fort Benton, Montana and on a wheat farm in Carter, Montana.

She graduated in 1992 from Fort Benton High School and attended Pacific Northwest College of Art, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Daughter, sister, aunt, friend.

Compassionate, artistic, comedienne, awkward, silly, instigator, kind, indignant, venturer of things, dreamer of dreams, beautiful.

Misti gave as good as she got. And she forgave more than she fought.

She was dangerously generous: giving money she didn’t have, sheltering people she knew nothing about, and giving more than she received.

Misti saw the world in shapes, lines, shades, and tones, which is typical of a person that is predominantly right-brained. Her art was nothing short of spectacular but mostly hidden from the eyes that could move her along her path.

Misti was not polished, vain, nor flashy. She loved the ornate, imaginative, and whimsical.

She was unwaveringly loyal, immensely tender, splendidly messy, and intensely complex.

Misti would infuriate all of those around her, but all were forced to retreat to laugh at her purposeful annoyance. She could out-gross her beloved niece and nephews, but was quick with loving concern and affection.

Above all, Misti was ferociously independent, valuing her autonomy. She displayed this to the very end when she made the decision of when to leave this earthly life and free her soul from her obstinate body.

There has never been nor will there ever be another like our magnificent Misti Bear.

Remaining to cherish Misti’s memory: father Ed Onstad, mother Gini Onstad, sisters Danielle Onstad, Scotti (Jesse) Wood, Tavia (Ryan) Onstad, niece and nephews Jagger Wood, Ameya Smith, Dashel Wood, family by sentiment Mark Smith, and extended relatives and confidants.

Preceding Misti in death: fiancé Patrick Hickey, grandparents Paul and Rachael Onstad, Lynn Culver, Virginia Hanson.

As per Misti’s request, no funeral service will be held.