November 27, 1950 - November 3, 2016
STAEHELI, Iris Beryl (Kahl) in her 66th year, of Bridge Lake, BC, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer, passed away peacefully November 3, 2016 in the Palliative Care Facility of the 100 Mile House Hospital, 100 Mile House, BC. Sadly missed by her loving husband, Larry and the loved ones she left behind. Iris was the daughter of the late Alexander Kahl and the late Jessie V. Jones (Francis-Chickering-Kahl).
Survived by half-brother Edward Alexander Kahl of Williams Lake and 100 Mile House BC; sister, Jolleen Frances (Horton-Donaldson) of Blockhouse, NS; brother Vance Brian Kahl of Maple Ridge, BC; nieces Corinne, Melody and Kari; many cousins throughout Canada and other countries.
Iris was born in North Battleford, Sask. November 27, 1950. As an infant moved with the family in the spring of 1951 to Burnaby, BC where she lived until October of 1955 when the family moved to a rural property in Stave Falls, BC (about 12 miles northwest of Mission City). Iris grew up in the Stave Falls and Stave Gardens and Mission City, BC areas until the fall of 1966. Following the death of her father in March of 1965, her mother remarried in 1966 moving to Burnaby, BC. Iris attended and graduated from Burnaby Central High School in 1968. She began her working career in 1969 while pursuing her lifelong hobbies of gardening, sewing, rock-hounding and wood work. Iris met her husband, Larry in 1993 and married in 1994 living in Langley, BC until 2007. The couple then retired and moved to Bridge Lake, BC in 2007.
Throughout her life, Iris loved being creative and innovative. Often self-taught she enjoyed persuing many topics. Her work path led her to managing the Hardware and Housewares Departments for the Army and Navy Store located in New Westminster, BC. She was well known for her ability to find unusual or difficult to find items. On leaving the hardware world, she attended fashion design school for two years in Vancouver, graduating with a design diploma. She followed her enjoyment of plants, working for many years with the Art Knapp Plantland locations in Surrey, BC as greenhouse manager. She would amaze customers with the unusual plants and her very deep knowledge of flora and holistic gardening. Her love of gardening always kept her busy weeding and preserving the harvests. Before retiring she briefly returned to the hardware world at the Home Hardware Store in Brookswood, BC. During her entire life, Iris particularly enjoyed sewing, becoming very innovative with her ability to create home decor and useful items, most of which were made from recycled clothing. She also enjoyed the outdoors and loved finding odd rocks and identifying them. In recent years, Iris enjoyed finding unusual or rare rocks. She enjoyed and learned the art of lapidary, cutting and polishing her various finds. She was a member of the Interlakes Rock Hounding Club. While rock-hounding in the outdoors, Iris became interested in wood carving. She made and sold many wooden spoons of all sizes and walking sticks as a vendor in the Loon Bay Market. She constantly kept well informed and studied any subject of interest. She was a go-to or reference person for many people. Her passing will be felt by many. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.
Thanks to the many doctors and nurses who cared for Iris. Special thanks to the staff of the Palliative Care Facility of the 100 Mile House Hospital.
In lieu of cards and or flowers, please make donations to The Canadian Red Cross in her memory. Following cremation, there will be a Celebration of Life; a time and date will be announced in the future.