Obituary

Barbara   Holverson
Barbara Holverson

July 26, 1931 - February 1, 2025
Born in Denison, Iowa
Resided in Norwalk, Iowa
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Obituary

Barbara (Skow) Holverson was born July 26, 1931 in Denison, lowa to Wilbur and Marie (Christensen) Skow. The oldest of 3 children, Barb grew up in Moorhead, lowa. She graduated in 1948 from Moorhead High School and attended Morningside College for 2 years.

Barb married Glen Holverson on October 15, 1950 at the Moorhead Christian Church and they lived on her grandmother's farm north of Soldier for the first year of their marriage. In 1952, the couple moved to Glen's home place west of Soldier in Jordan Township when his parents retired, and in 1960 they purchased the family farm where they continued to farm and raise their family.

Although she grew up in town, Barb thoroughly loved farming with Glen, being outdoors and staying active. She quickly learned about life in the country, adapting to an outhouse and wood burning stove for heat, after having grown up with the comforts of town life and indoor plumbing.

They welcomed son Douglas (Doug) born November 30, 1960, followed by daughter Susan (Sue) born August 3, 1963. Together they enjoyed watching their kids grow up, following them to school events, 4-H activities and many horse shows.

Barb was an active member of the Moorhead Christian Church, serving in the Christian Women's Fellowship, as an Elder and board member and other capacities.

Barb was never one to sit still. She was always on the go. If she wasn't running errands for the farm, kids or visiting friends, you would find her outside, working in her beautiful yard, or helping with chores.

Following Glen's death in 1992, Barb learned she would soon become a grandmother and threw herself into her new role as Grammy to two beautiful granddaughters. From that time forward she spent hours on the road between Soldier and Des Moines, learned to golf, and made quilts for everyone in the family.

Barb was an avid card player, including participating in several Bridge clubs, numerous Euchre tournaments, and Black Jack games at local casinos. She loved to laugh and was always up for shopping, impromptu coffee or wine drop-ins, Bunco, trips to the city, eating out, or anything else that came her way.

Barb retired in 1996 and was married to James Blaine on June 6, 1998. Over the next six years, Barb and Jim enjoyed golfing, traveling together, going to dances and spending time with friends and family.

Her greatest joy in life was her family, especially her granddaughters, attending as many school activities, recitals, ball games, 4-H events and horse shows as possible, just hanging out together on the farm or a favorite spot in Grand Marais, MN. She cherished watching them grow up and was so proud of all they have accomplished so far in life.

Barb was strong and fiercely independent, staying on her farm and driving almost everywhere well into her 80s, until moving to West Des Moines in 2019. Being close to Sue’s family was a blessing and the time spent together over the past 5 years was a true gift.

She lived life to the fullest, was a friend to all and will be greatly missed.

Barb was preceded in death by Glen in 1992, second husband Jim in 2006, her parents, sister, and brother.

She is survived by Doug of Omaha, NE, Sue (Paul) Bunce of Norwalk, IA, granddaughters Lauren Bunce (Jake Gore) of South Hamilton, MA, and Erin Bunce (Kellen Curnutte) of Golden Valley, MN.

Special thanks to the caring wonderful staff at Holland Farms Homestead memory care in Norwalk and to the amazing staff and nurses at Kavanaugh House Every Step Hospice for taking such good care of Barb while in your care. You have been a blessing.

Memorials can be directed to the family or Kavanaugh House Hospice.

A Celebration of Life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.

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Services

Funeral Home
Iles Dunn's Chapel
2121 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA US 50312
2025-02-16T