Iris Krsul

Iris Dorothy Krsul, 94, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.A vigil service will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. A funeral liturgy will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Iris was born February 12, 1920 in Lewistown, Montana to Roll H. and Dorothy Stonehill Cowen. Iris was blessed growing up on a large sheep ranch on the Judith River near Utica where she and her brother, Harry, had the benefits of western living, her own horse and wide open spaces. Iris graduated from Fergus County High School and chose nursing as her career, graduating from the Columbus School of Nursing in Great Falls. Working at the Columbus Hospital she met John C. Krsul. They were married March 24, 1942. John was soon shipped to the South Pacific missing the birth of their son, John R. Krsul. During the war years, Iris was supported by her parents and in-laws traveling between Olympia, Washington and Black Eagle. After Johns return a daughter Denise Marie was born. Iris worked as head nurse on 3rd West in the old Columbus Hospital.Her husband had chosen law enforcement as a career and was elected Cascade County Sheriff in 1958. Iris spent the next 20 years raising her family and making her home in the Cascade County Sheriffs quarters, in the old county jail, where she oversaw the preparation of meals for the inmates. At the same time, she worked for the American Red Cross mobile blood collecting unit traveling all over eastern Montana and western North Dakota. After John retired they moved to their home in Black Eagle. John died in 1981. For the next 25 years Iris regularly attended Mass at Blessed Sacrament, enjoyed card playing with her friends affectionately called the P.O.W.s (poor old widows), golfed and traveled. She moved to Cambridge Place in Great Falls then to Fairwinds Sand Creek in Idaho Falls to be closer to her son.Most especially, Iris will be remembered for putting her family first. She willingly sacrificed herself when her son was suddenly widowed in 1978 extensively helping him and her grandsons and again when her daughter developed kidney cancer at age 52. She was present with her daughter during her last months, giving her daily comfort care until her death in 1999.Iris loved hunting (she was a very good shot), fishing, camping and playing cards. She particularly loved family vacations at Swan Lake where her goal was to ensure that everybody enjoyed themselves, and she arguably made the best Easter lamb roast and povitica that could be had in the State of Montana. She was indeed a loving and caring mother, grandmother and friend and will be greatly missed.Iris is survived by her son, John (Betsy) Krsul; and five grandsons, J. Michael Krsul, Timothy (Shannon) Krsul, Marc (Julie) Krsul, A. Christopher (Kelly) Edwards, and John W. (Hollis) Edwards; and eight great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, Roll H. and Dorothy Cowen; husband John C. Krsul; daughter Denise Marie Edwards; brother Harry Cowen; and daughter-in-law Carolyn Rose Krsul.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the following charities, Carolyn Langhi Krsul Memorial Endowment, Carroll College, 1601 N. Benton Ave, Helena, MT 59625-0002; St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, 1106 N. 30th Street, Billings, MT 59107; or a charity of the donors choice.