Iris Hanson-Cain

Iris M. Hanson-Cain, age 78, of Willmar, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, April 22, at the Belgrade Nursing Home in Belgrade, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Thursday, April 27, at the Church Of St. Mary in Willmar, Minnesota. Interment will be in the Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Wednesday at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and at the church one hour prior to the service Thursday.

Iris Mary Halliday was born on September 3, 1938, in Sheffield, England, the daughter of Thurza (Gibbs) and Vincent Halliday. She grew up and received her education in Great Yarmouth, England. On March 29, 1959, she was married to Douglas Harold Hanson in Great Yarmouth. Doug was in the Air Force and returned home while Iris traveled later on the ship, Queen Mary, to New York City where Doug was there to meet her. They traveled by train back to Minnesota and made their home in Willmar. Iris worked for many years with Thrifty Drug Store as a Cosmetic Consultant and clerk and later worked for Thorson's New and Used for 10 years. Doug passed away in 1982 and on December 11, 1993, Iris was married to Richard Allen Cain at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Kandiyohi and they made their home on Eagle Lake. She worked for a time with Ashwood Nursing Home and later at Bethesda Homes as a Activities Assistant. She enjoyed gardening, church, working in the yard, rummage sales, watching movies, playing darts, motorcycle rides, giving to charities that helped children and was an avid reader. Iris loved being with family and friends, especially her grandchildren who brightened her days.

She is survived by four sons; Steve (and Rosanne) Hanson of Willmar, David Hanson of Willmar, Jim Hanson of Nashville, TN and Andrew Hanson of Chicago, IL, one daughter, Kathleen (and Kyle) Thomes of Meire Grove and one step-daughter, Cari Jo Cain of Elk River. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, 1 step great grandchild, one brother, Charlie Halliday of Great Yarmouth, England and two sisters, Pam (and Arthur) Humphrey of Great Yarmouth, England and Pat Stone of Sydney, Australia, many nieces and nephews, besides other relatives and friends.

Iris was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands Douglas in 1982 and Richard in 2014, four brothers; David, Claude, Vincent and Donny Halliday and two sisters; Linda and Sylvia.

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