Iris J. Barta

.Iris Barta, 83, Fargo, ND, was granted her angel's wings Monday, March 21, 2016.

Iris was born January 20, 1933, in Lisbon ND, to Clarence and Grace (Hopkins) Nelson. She graduated from Milnor (ND) High School in May 1950. She attended Minneapolis (MN) Business College for a secretarial course and later returned to Milnor to work with her mother at the family café.

Iris married Everett "Ed" Barta on August 25, 1951, in Webster, SD. The couple lived in Detroit Lakes, MN, for four years, Crete, ND for fourteen years, and then Gwinner, ND, where they lived and raised their family. Ed was a Depot Agent and Iris worked for the Forman Manor along with selling Avon. A few years after living in Gwinner, they purchased the Skyline Bar which they operated until Ed's death in 1984. Iris continued living in Gwinner until 1992, when she moved to the Moorhead, MN, area. In December 2015, she moved to Villa Maria due to declining health.

Iris loved making holidays special for her family, watching murder mysteries, spoiling her granddaughter and baking. She was best known for her kind heart, quick wit and her ability to empathize with others. She was never known to complain and showed amazing dignity and determination throughout her eight- year battle with cancer. Her character was one of great faith, strong will and courage.

Grateful to have shared in Iris' life are her daughter, Stacey Nice, Fargo; granddaughter, Natalia Nice, Minneapolis; son-in-law, David Koepp, Alexandria, MN; sister, Judy Morgan, Wishek, ND; and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother who died at birth; her sister, Marvel; her husband, Ed; and her daughter, Cheryl.

The family would like to thank the staff at Villa Maria and Hospice for the kindness and loving care provided to Iris during her final days.

A memorial service will be Saturday, March 26, 2016, at 1 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.