Melissa A. Heath, age 50, of Bowler, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2020. She was born in Milwaukee on March 9, 1970, the daughter of Leah Joy Miller and the late Marvin Joseph Heath. Missy graduated from the University of Minnesota, with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Melissa loved her family with no limits. She cared for others when no one else would. Missy remembered everyone's birthday, more efficiently than a calendar. She was always the first to congratulate someone for any of life's accomplishments, from a wedding, to a job promotion, a graduation, passing your driver's test, or to whipping your own ass for the first time. Missy was a grizzly bear for her children. She protected her kids, no matter the circumstances, and was proud of them, even when they felt like there was nothing to be proud of. Missy described people by their redeeming qualities. To say Missy was "the life of the party" would be an understatement. She was the person you wanted to sit next to at all social gatherings, and roll up your sleeves within the fourth quarter, when the odds were against you. Missy was a mother to more than her children. She was the type of mother who would take others in when no one else wanted them. Her children's best friends would address her as "Mom". Missy always pushed her loved ones to be the best versions of themselves. Missy was quick-witted, original, and could make everyone feel as if they were her best friends. Her aunties and uncles will remember her for her big heart and beautiful voice. Her cousins will remember her for her loyalty and humor. Her friends will remember Missy for her intelligence, honesty, and athleticism. Her nieces and nephews will remember her for always having a genuine personal connection with them and being the "fun auntie". Her children will remember her for teaching them to think for themselves, her beautiful smile and always standing up for each other.

Missy had a way of empowering others. She was involved in Mary Kay in the 1990's, even earning a car! She reached out to so many women in her own community, and others, to encourage them by joining her team with MK. It was never about make-up and skin care, it was about the ability she had to encourage all to reach for lofty goals, dream big, gain confidence, friendships, and to be a part of something bigger than they imagined. This way of encouraging and empowering others is a huge reason why some of her family went on to pursue higher education. She was that person you could go to for those tough conversations, she would tell you like it is when you needed to hear it.

Melissa is survived by: her three children, Corey, Cierra, Caleah; her grandson, Avery; her mother, Leah Miller; siblings, Elena (Bill), Kristina, Kanaysa (Mandy); and her partner, Dana Grignon, She is further survived by countless aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, whom she was very proud of.

Missy has joined her daughter, Cheyna, her grandson, Jeremiah, and her father, Marvin in the spirit world.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Church of the Wilderness in Bowler, on the Stockbridge-Munsee Indian Reservation, with Rev. Paul Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Stockbridge Burial Grounds. Visitation will be held at the Leah Miller Residence, N8533 Mo He Con Nuck Road, Town of Bartelme, from 4:00 pm on Thursday, November 5, 2020 until the time the procession leaves at 10:30 am on Friday. Visitation will be at church on Friday from 11:00 am until the time of service. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com