Barb Givens
February 21, 1947 - June 13, 2025
Barbara “Barb” Joan (Zevenbergen) Givens passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025 at her home in Montgomery. She was born on February 21, 1947 in Hull, Iowa to loving parents, Ruth (nee Dorsman) and John Zevenbergen, Jr. She graduated from Northwestern University in Orange City, Iowa, in 1969. She taught English in Stillwater to Middle School Students. She loved teaching! She later moved on to help the Givens’ Family Best Lock Business. While her kids were little, she loved volunteering with the Cubbies at Awana and other opportunities at church. After she retired, she poured herself into volunteering with various ministries including MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) and Group Work Camps. She was never happier than when she was helping others! After grandkids arrived on the scene, she loved babysitting and helping out. She also loved caring for the birds in her backyard and planting flowers for enjoying all summer long.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and John Zevenbergen, Jr., as well as her sister, Donna (Zevenbergen) Romein, her sister-in-law Ann (Givens) Kruizenga, and two of her brothers-in-law Dick Alberg and Lowell Kruizenga. Barb is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jim Givens, her children, Dawn Givens and Timothy “T.J.” Givens (Felicia), and her grandchildren, Evan, Adriana, and Caleb Givens. She is also survived by her siblings Glen “Dutch” Zevenbergen (Susan), Lois Zevenbergen, LuAnn Page (Frank), and Lyle Zevenbergen (Ella).
Barb will be remembered for her quick, winning smile, her strength, and her big heart for people. She wanted to help wherever she could and serve the Lord. She was always buying gifts for baby and wedding showers and taking meals to those in need. She was very involved with missions and took many trips to various places like Tijuana, Mexico and Native American Reservations in Wyoming and Montana. She volunteered with Operation Christmas Child to help pack gift boxes for children around the world. She loved jigsaw puzzles and sudoku. She was very mathematically talented. She loved horse pack trips into the mountains and went on 6 with her family where she photographed everything in sight!
Visitation and Memorial Services on Saturday, June 21, 2025 beginning at 10am Visitation, 11am Memorial Service with a luncheon to follow at South Suburban Evangelical Free Church (12600 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd, Apple Valley, MN 55124). In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to South Suburban Evangelical Free Church ssefc.org, Northfield Women’s Center northfieldwomenscenter.org, or Spectrum Ministries from Tijuana, Mexico spectrumministries.org. The service will be live-streamed at South Suburban’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/live/TfgqWR-qciQ.
Jim and family –
Saddened to hear of Barb’s passing. Oh what joy that she is with her Savior! Barb was such a help to me, both with the passing of my parents and Barry’s cancer journey. My best moments were seeing Barb at church, knowing Barb she always had a smile for me and would do anything for me, even things I did not know I needed! What a blessing to have known her.
Jim, TJ, and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Barb was a wonderful person. She was so thoughtful and loving to all she met. She truly had love for people. Her devotion to her Family was number one. I will cherish the moments that I had with her during our Trail Life meetings and special events. She was engaged in all that TJ and Evan did with the troop. I will miss her contagious smile. She truly brightened up the room. She was a devoted follower of Jesus and clearly showed in her countenance.… Read more »
My deepest prayers and condolences to your family TJ and Felicia. I am thankful for the privilege of getting to know Barb, she had a joyful spirit that was infectious. Praying for your family during this difficult time.
Praying for your healing!
Isaiah 41:10
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Our prayers are with you, the Givens family.
Isaiah 26:3–4 (ESV) — 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Jim,
Very sorry to hear of Barb’s passing. I recall meeting Barb at your home in Montgomery when you invited me over for a meal before I moved to the Black Hills after working a bunch with you at Best Lock in Burnsville, MN. A very gracious lady, for sure!
Blessings to you and your family!
Dave Herron
Mora, MN
Our sympathy to Barb’s family. We have many memories of Barb and her siblings during their growing up years in Sibley, Iowa. May God comfort you.
My Sympathy to Barbs family. I remember her and her family growing up in Sibley, Iowa