Iris Mary Cross, 86, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, October 4, 2019, at the Door County Medical Center – Skilled Nursing Facility.
She was born in Boston, MA in 1932, she was the daughter of the late Robert Mark and Eleanor Florence (Stevens) Lees. Iris went to Kenosha as a child and attended local schools before graduating from Mary D. Bradford High School.
In 1953, she was united in marriage to Richard Cross. He preceded her in death in 2005.
In her younger years, Iris was an apartment complex manager and she also worked at various restaurants and shops along the way. Everyone Iris met became her friend. She extended her loving hospitality to everyone – young and old. Her generosity and help touched many, many lives here in Wisconsin, as well as at her beloved winter home in Arizona.
She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church (now, Stella Maris Parish – Jacksonport site). Iris served as the President of the Whittier School PTA and the Catholic Jr. League in Kenosha. She also was a member of the Women’s Club in Brillion and Door County.
She is survived by her four sons, Timothy (Lauren Vincent), Jeffrey (Sharon Salm), Daniel (Diane Nies) and Jonathan (Tiffany Klatt) Cross; foster daughter, Sandra (Lee) Stephens; foster son-in-law, Tim Byler; eight grandchildren, Aaron (Lisa) Cross, Kate (Adam) Braatz, Jesse Cross, Ryan Cross, Neal (Melissa) Cross, Calsey (Josh) Miller, Alexis Cross, and Fayth Cross; five great-grandchildren; and brother, Thomas (Lydia) Lees.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her foster daughter, Janet Byler and brother, Robert Lees.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial to honor Iris’ life will be held on Monday, October 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Stella Maris Parish – Jacksonport site. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in St. James Cemetery in Kenosha.
Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:50 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cross family and will be distributed to Iris’ charities of choice.
