Iris was born on February 11, 1932 in Cavour, SD, to Henry and Helen Friedrichsen. She was raised on her parents’ farm, attended Sheffield Country School and graduated from Huron High School in 1949.

After a year of teacher training at Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD, Iris taught country school for four years before enrolling at West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, WV. Iris graduated in 1957 with a degree in photographic journalism.

Iris worked in journalism in West Virginia, Washington, DC for National Geographic and Aberdeen, SD before moving to Sioux Falls, SD in 1963. While in Sioux Falls, Iris served as the executive secretary and publications editor for the District President (Bishop) of the South Dakota District of The American Lutheran Church.

While working there, Iris met Allan Thoreson who was a pastor serving in Sioux Falls and the two were married in 1966. After their marriage they lived in Colton, SD where son Joel was born in 1968 and daughter Alayne was born in 1969.

In 1971, the family moved to Brookings, SD where Allan served as a pastor. Iris obtained a Master’s Degree from South Dakota State University while they lived in Brookings and worked in the McCrory Trial Gardens while completing her Horticulture studies.

The family moved to Iowa in 1984 and lived in Altoona until 1990 when they moved to Marshalltown where Allan served as pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church. In Marshalltown, Iris worked for many years for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Iowa.

Iris was an active volunteer in church and community. She was involved in many church committees and activities at Our Savior Lutheran and Elim Lutheran Churches including as a dedicated volunteer with the Elim Quilters group which made quilts for Lutheran World Relief. She was also involved with Lutheran Brotherhood, Marshalltown School District’s classroom volunteer program, Emergency Food Box, Caring Center and House of Compassion.

A faithful pastor’s wife, Iris was a devoted mother to Joel and Alayne and grandmother to Joel’s children, Em and Trygve. Her faith was active in love for family, church and community. She made friends wherever she lived and worked.

She was preceded in death by her parents and other extended family members.

She is survived by her husband Allan; children Joel and Alayne and grandchildren Em and Trygve. She is also survived by her siblings Lois Sollie, of Aberdeen, SD; LeRoy Friedrichsen, of Huron, SD and Phyllis Bush, of Mitchell, SD; in-laws Wayne (Louise) Thoreson, of Scottsdale, AZ; Janice Vinje, of Eagan, MN and Marian Stensgard, of Harmony, MN. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorials may be given in her memory to Elim Lutheran Church Quilters group, Lutheran World Relief Quilt Shipping Fund, Marshalltown’s Emergency Food Box or any charity serving people in need.