A delayed stream of the service, available December 12th, will be posted at a link to be determined.
Iris Smith, 99, longtime Minot resident, died Tuesday, November 28, 2023 in a Garrison assisted living center.
Iris was born April 23, 1924 in Grafton, ND, the daughter of Hilding and Pansy (Whitlow) Nelson. She was raised on the family farm in the Maxbass area and attended grade school at Renville Corner. She later stayed with a relative in Mohall and graduated from Mohall High School.
Iris met her future husband, Norman Smith, on a blind date while working for a Seattle, WA phone company. They were later united in marriage on December 24, 1944 in Beverly Hills, California. Iris lived with her in-laws in New Orleans, Louisiana for a short time until Norm was discharged from the US Navy. They then moved to North Dakota and lived on her parents’ farm near Maxbass. In 1951, Norm and Iris moved to the Mohall area, where they purchased their first home on a farm just outside of Mohall. Iris helped her husband on the farm and also worked at the Citizen State Bank in Mohall.
In 1961, they moved to Minot. From this union four children were born: Beverly, Rick, Linda and Lori. They continued to make their home in Minot, where along with being a homemaker, she was involved in St. John the Apostle Catholic Church and served in the Church Choir for over 30 years and Church Confraternity. She loved to sing with the Sweet Adelines and North 40 Comedy Quartet. She especially enjoyed travelling with this group to Canada and Florida to perform for a number of audiences. Norman passed away on January 4, 1994.
Her loving family includes, children, Bev (Rich) Pardon, Minot, Rick (Patti) Smith, Victoria, TX, and Linda (Curt) Zimbelman, Minot; 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Iris was preceded by her parents, husband of nearly 50 years, Norman; daughter, Lori Tollefson; brother, Bob Nelson and sister-in-law, Jeri Valentine Nelson.
Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, December 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot. A delayed stream of the service, available December 12th, will be posted at a link to be determined.
Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot
Visitation: Sunday, December 10 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.
