Pamela DeMakis Barsness

Tucson, Ariz.

Pamela DeMakis Barsness, 78, Tucson, AZ and formerly of Minot and Bismarck and whose parents were the founders of Charlie’s Café in Downtown Minot died on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in a Phoenix, AZ hospital following complications related to heart surgery.

Pamela Catherine DeMakis was born on July 17, 1946 in Minot to Charles and Catherine (Deckas) DeMakis. She was raised and educated in Minot, and from a young age was an integral part of the operation of Charlie’s Café. She appreciated all she learned, and the work ethic gained, from serving as dishwasher, hostess, cashier etc…, but she especially enjoyed baking and preparing fine meals that led to her being an excellent hostess in her own home.

Pamela graduated from Minot High School in 1964 and she continued her education at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks before her father’s terminal illness forced her return to Minot and the restaurant. Following her father’s death, she attended a hairstyling school and was employed as a hairstylist for a time.

Pamela married Donald Barsness on August 18, 1968 at Little Flower Catholic Church in Minot. They made their home in Minot prior to moving to Bismarck in 1973. Once they started their family, Pamela, was very pleased to be a “stay-at-home” mom, which she considered to be the best and greatest thing in her life.

She cherished every moment of raising her two children. Once Chris “left the nest” she enrolled in a business college and worked part-time before deciding to spend more time with her husband, traveling and becoming more active in her church.

Pam and Don enjoyed being “snowbirds” in Arizona for several winters and then decided to move fulltime to the Saddlebrook Development in Tucson, AZ about 10 years ago where they had lived. Don died on January 26, 2022. Pamela had continued to reside in Tucson.

Pamela was very proud of her family and Greek heritage. She was a former member of St. Peter’s Orthodox Church – Minot and its satellite church in Bismarck, Apple Creek Ladies Golf League – Bismarck and the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony League.

Pam’s greatest love was her family and her only desire was to be a wife, mother and grandmother. She was an amazing cook and was always coming up with recipes to try on family and friends. She cherished her childhood friends and was a loyal friend to all and who thought of others’ comfort before her own.

Pamela’s loving family includes her children: Andrea Barsness of Phoenix, Chris Barsness of Dallas; grandchildren: Zachary Sornoza, Alexia and Madelyn Barsness; siblings: Greg (Rhonda) DeMakis of Minot and Elaine Regan of Minneapolis; sister-in-law: Cheryl Barsness; nephews and nieces: Charles (Ashley) DeMakis, Mike (Alicia) DeMakis and Mary Regan and many cousins, aunts and uncles.

Pamela was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother-in-law: Steve Regan, niece: Pamela Regan.

Service: July 28, 2025 at 10 a.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home Chapel – Minot. A livestream of the service may be watched by using the link in Pamela’s website obituary.

Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park – Minot.

Visitation: will be one hour prior to the service in Thomas Family Funeral Home – Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson Foundation for research or the Scleroderma Research Foundation.

Memories and condolences may be shared on the Thomas Family Funeral Home website.

Published by The Minot Daily News July 22, 2025.