Barbara Bender was born on September 1, 1986, to Cheryl Bender and William Kimmet. She graduated from Minnewaukan Public School in 2005 with honors. She then moved to Minot ND and met Sam Savelkoul and they got married in July of 2010. They established their home in Minot. Barbara moved to Staples in late July of 2021 and passed away there at her home.
Barbara worked as a CMA at Emerald Court in Minot ND. She loved her residents and co-workers, and she had many friends at her job. All of the residents’ families just loved her as she also did them. She was a caring, kind, and giving person.
Barbara loved her time that she could be with her Mom and family. She loved fishing, camping and campfires at the lake with her family and Mom. She and her dog Roxy were inseparable. Roxy meant the world to Barbara. Roxy was almost like Barbara’s little kid.
Barbara is survived by her loving family. Her mother Cheryl Laber and stepdad, Kirk Laber of Devils Lake ND; her Dad William Kimmet of Shelby MT; her stepsisters Yolanda Gray of Fessenden ND, Georgianna Laber of Jamestown ND, and Sara Bender also of Fessenden; stepbrother Joseph Laber of Fessenden; husband Sam Savelkoul of Minot and her stepdaughter Dessy and her 3 children also of Minot; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her son Stephan Xavier Savelkoul, paternal grandparents Fred and Jeanette Bender, Bill and Barb Kimmet, mother-in-law Diane Vallie, father-in-law Dennis Savelkoul, stepdad Larry Mertz, step grandparents Joyce and Sweed Mertz, Phyllis and Alfred Laber.
Visitation for Barbara will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake ND from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m. Reverend Kevin Anderson, Pastor, River of Life will officiate.