Iris Marie (Saari) Gillis, age 80, longtime resident of Hibbing died Monday, February 6, 2012, in Willow Wood Memory Care in Eveleth. She was born October 29, 1931, in Virginia, MN the daughter of Hector and Amelia (Maki) Saari. She graduated from Virginia High School, and went on to receive a degree as a Registered Nurse from the University of Michigan. Iris was united in marriage to Wilbur "Bill" Gillis in 1954 in Virginia, MN.
Iris worked as a RN for the University of Michigan Hospital, the Springfield, MA Hospital, The Grand Forks Hospital, and then at the Adams Clinic in Hibbing for 20 years. She was a member of the University of MI Alumni Association, and the First Presbyterian Church in Hibbing. Iris was proud of her Finnish heritage. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, camping, and square dancing.
Iris is survived by her husband: Bill; three children: David (Cheryl) Gillis of Cherry, MN, Wendy (Mark) Greenwood of Hibbing, MN, and Tracey (William) Alaniva of Marion, IA; a brother: Kenneth Hector Saari of Virginia, MN; five grandchildren: Colin (Bethany) Gillis, Corie (Chris) Jivery, Andrew Alaniva, Jeremy Alaniva, and Sarah Alaniva; and five great-grandchildren: Hailey, Natalie, Ethan, and Luke Gillis, and Brady Alaniva.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am memorial service Thursday, February 9, 2012 in the First Presbyterian Church in Hibbing. The Reverend James Deters will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Grandview Memorial Gardens in Hibbing. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society, or to the Alzheimer's Association.
Family services are provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Hibbing. To express condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Facts

Born: October 29, 1931
Place of Birth: Virginia, MN
Death: February 6, 2012
Place of Death: Eveleth, MN
Occupation: R.N.
Hobbies: Golfing, Bowling, Camping & Square Dancing.
Organizations: University of Michigan Alumni Association

Services Visitation

Thursday February 9, 2012 , 10:00 am - 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church - Hibbing

Thursday February 9, 2012 , 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church - Hibbing

at Grandview Memorial Gardens