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Sally Givens, 81, of Houghton, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, surrounded by her family, friends, and pastor. Born in Aura, MI, she was a woman whose life was defined by two great loves: her deep Christian faith and her devotion to caring for others.
Sally embraced her Scandinavian roots with pride, celebrating the Finnish culture of Michigan’s Copper Country. She was a fixture at Juhannus and Heikinpäivä, the Aura Fiddlers Festival, and local polka and Schottische dances. She and her husband were once caught on a Suomi Kutsuu episode having the time of their lives dancing at Finnfest–a memory that perfectly captured her spirit. She lived fully, going dancing with and doing shopping trips to Marquette with girlfriends just months before she passed.
Her faith was her compass. A longtime member of L’Anse Baptist Church, she shared the gospel not out of obligation, but out of a caring desire for others to find salvation. She actively supported the Life Outreach Center, advocating for local parents of unborn children.
In 1967, she married her beloved husband, Clark Givens, a professor of mathematics at Michigan Technological University who retired after 47 years. Together, they built a home in the Copper Country where they raised two sons, Brendhan and Bjorn. Sally was a devoted homemaker, finding a special mission in caring for her disabled son, for whom she was deeply grateful to the Quincy House staff for their dedication. She and Clark shared 56 years of marriage until his passing in 2023.
But perhaps the most enduring memory of Sally is her kitchen. She was the heartbeat of every holiday gathering, known for her delicious corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day and authentic Finnish pasties with rutabaga on St. Urho’s Day. Whether it was lasagna, roast, taco Saturday, or a simple snack she found at the store, she believed that a full stomach was the first step to a happy heart. She never left a gathering without thinking of what she could bring back for someone else. Her generosity was dependable; she always had a gift ready, whether handmade or a small treat, simply to make someone feel appreciated.
Her infectious laugh drew people in, and her home was a place where everyone felt welcome. She received this touching note from a special connection: “I have saved every letter you have sent me… Although I am sad I won’t receive your package of love in the mail every holiday, I am so blessed that I got to feel that love for 21 years….”
Sally was preceded in death by her husband Clark; her parents Edward and Lyla; her sisters Valerie, Shirley, and Lyla Lynne; and her mother-in-law, Florence.
She is survived by her sons, Brendhan (Jenn) and Bjorn; grandchildren, Thea and Brian Givens; nephew Greg Sandel; the Hansen family (Patti, George, Thomas, Holly, and Mike); and cousin Mary Lou (Howard) Klein. She leaves behind a wide circle of loving relatives and friends, including the Luoto siblings (Fred, Sue, Alice, Nancy, and Billy) and their families, the Wessels, Julie (Corey) Harmon, Elsa Brule, Gordy Kyllonen, and many others. She was especially close to the Luotos, with whom she spent cherished times at Second Sand Beach, and she adored the Stromer children, Finn and Roman.
A graveside service will be held on May 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton, with Pastor Jerry Bishop presiding. The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock is in charge of arrangements.
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