Iris M. Faust

Iris Muriel (Bienert) Faust, 83, of Clear Lake, went to be with her Savior and Lord on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, in Mason City.

Per Iris’s wishes, her body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, Samaritan’s Purse or the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church.

Iris was born on March 13, 1933, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and was raised in Leduc until the age of 14 when the family moved to Edmonton after her dad returned from serving during World War II.

Although she was not raised in a Christian home, she did own a Bible and had several opportunities to hear the message of salvation, but did not respond to it at that time.  However, the change she saw in her brother’s life after he became a Christian was one of the influences God used to bring Iris to Himself.

She accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord at a Sunday evening church service at the age of 15 in Edmonton.  God impressed her with the need of a Savior as she entered the church, and especially through the last verse of the hymn, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”

After graduation from high school, she began the four-year Bible course at Prairie Bible College (Institute) in 1951 at Three Hills, Alberta, where her brother was a senior.  It just so happened that her brother’s roommate was also a freshman, from North Dakota, by the name of Raymond Eugene Faust.  Senior students were to “befriend” incoming freshman which her brother did.

After graduating from Prairie in 1955, she married Raymond on Sept. 1, 1956, in Edmonton.  They entered the pastoral ministry with the Evangelical Free Church in 1961 for 38 years with pastorates in several states, as well as one in Alberta.

Her life was full of activity as she served her family and others both in the church and in the community.  Another highlight of her life was participating in Stonecroft Bible studies.

She also enjoyed very much keeping in touch with family, relatives and many friends throughout the years, including emailing in her later years.  She often received appreciation from others for her letters and keeping “in touch” with them.

Iris is lovingly remembered by her husband of 60 years, Raymond; children, Joel (Leslie), Peter (Nicki), Samuel (Kelly) and Andrew (Mary Ellen); 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.