Barbara Ann (Olson) Ambers, 76, of Minnewaukan, ND, passed away Feb. 2, 2026, at the Eventide Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake with her loving husband by her side.
Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service for Barbara will be held at Peace Lutheran Church in Devils Lake, with Reverend Trudy Dumont officiating, on Friday, Feb. 13 at 3:00 p.m.
Barbara, better known to family and friends as Barb, was born on Jan. 17, 1950, in Devils Lake, ND, and was the middle sibling of three children born to Morris and Shirley (Alexander) Olson. The family made their home on the Olson farm south of Knox, ND, then lived in Leeds, ND, for a time, and finally settled in Minnewaukan, ND. Barb graduated from Minnewaukan High School with the class of 1968. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan. Barb married David Ambers on October 25, 1980, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan, and they had one wonderful daughter – Errin Ambers. Together, they made their home south of Minnewaukan, and later moved to the Bryn Farm, west of Minnewaukan.
Barb worked at the Benson County Courthouse, then worked for Benson County Social Services for many years, where she later retired, and helped David on the farm. Even though she was busy, Barb always made time to attend her daughter’s, nieces’, and nephews’ activities. Barb loved to play softball, participated in trap shooting and trail riding, and won several rope-pulling competitions with the “Udder” team at the Wells County Fair. She loved playing cards, drinking coffee, going on crop tours with David, and most of all, cuddling with her “girls” – her cats – Mommy and Moo.
In the last few years, Barb fought with many challenging health issues. For a time, she lived in Devils Lake with her daughter Errin, and after continuing battles with poor health late last year, she became a resident at Eventide Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake, ND. Her family had hoped this would be a temporary stay, but fate had other plans. Barb will truly be missed by everyone who knew her.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Shirley (Alexander) Olson; brother, Robert Olson; sister, Anna (Olson) Ripplinger; uncles, Thomas, John, Marvin, and Kenneth Alexander; aunts, Naomi Lauinger, Margaret Zeigler, Alice Schneider, and Donna Streifel; and many cherished cousins and close family friends.
Barb is survived by her husband, David Ambers of Minnewaukan, ND; daughter, Errin Ambers of Devils Lake, ND; nieces and nephews, Deb (Brad) Eback and Jennifer (Myron) Halvorson, both of Devils Lake, ND, Colton Eichele of Rugby, ND and Megan (Justin) Domine of Verona, ND; Marissa (Davis Beauchamp) Eback, of East Grand Forks, MN, Emily (Chris) Shepherd of Mandan, ND, and Landen (Grace Mueller) Eback of East Grand Forks, MN, Preston Halvorson and Christian Halvorson, both of Devils Lake, ND; aunt, Ruth Alexander of Devils Lake, ND; sisters-in-law, Linda (Myron) Butterfield of Maddock, ND, Connie Ambers of Minnewaukan, ND, and Donna (Randy) Eichele, of Robinson, ND; brothers-in-law, James Ripplinger of Devils Lake, ND, and Terry Ambers of Hamberg, ND; and many beloved cousins, extended family, and Barb’s beloved cat companions.
Interment will be in the spring at the Minnewaukan Cemetery.
Casket Bearers will be Brad Eback, Landen Eback, Myron Halvorson, Preston Halvorson, Chris Shepherd, Randy Eichele, Donna Eichele, Colton Eichele and Megan Domine.
