Iris Geraldine Johnstone was born June 5, 1926, at Sedalia, AB. She was the 6th of 9 children born to John Phillip and Eleanor (Gamble) Thornton.

Iris married Clifford Johnstone of Mont Nebo, SK, on April 19, 1943. They lived at Digby, Nova Scotia as Clifford was in the navy and stationed there. They moved to Polwarth, SK, when the war ended, then to Clearwater, BC, in 1954 where Clifford worked at the lumber mill. They returned to Saskatchewan and in 1956 sold the farm at Polwarth and moved to Hawkeye, southwest of Mont Nebo to farm Cliffords dad’s land. In April 1963 they bought the Sunlight Café in Shell Lake and operated it for 10 years. In 1974 they moved to Shellbrook where Iris worked at the hospital until she retired in 1986.

Clifford passed away January 1, 2001. Iris continued to live in Shellbrook, the last 6 years in the nursing home, until her passing on December 17, 2025.

She leaves to mourn her daughter Gwen Wilson of Shellbrook, SK, and her children David (Val and their children Daniel, Hannah, Joel, and Zachary), John, and Jacquelyn (Chris and their children Jordan, Tyson, Austin, and Jadelyn) Hunt; Son Alex (Faye) of Melfort, SK, and their children Margo (Tommy and their children Erik, Evan, and Amanda) Stensrud, Karen, and Tim (Lindsey and their children Callie and Burke); Son Monty Johnstone of Shellbrook, SK, and his children Brennan (Ashley and their children Claire and Everett), Dylan (Arielle), Amy (Josh and their children Jonathan, Kate, and Levi) DeVries, Mallary (her children Atlas, Clementine, and Berlin) Soon, and Nolan (Kayla and their children Gideon and Adina); Her foster son Ozzie (Hollis) Robillard of Hay River, NWT, and their children Mark and Merle; 14 great-great-grandchildren; Her brother Keith Thornton of Didsbury, AB; Her sister Linda Wallace of Prescott, AZ; Her brother-in-law Vern Wallace; Her sister-in-law Joyce Kraft of Stockton, CA; Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Iris was predeceased by her beloved husband Clifford Johnstone (2001); Her parents John Phillip (Jack) and Eleanor Thornton (1981); Her siblings Fern, Ivy, Claude, Gerry, Joe, and Phil; Her son-in-law Jack Wilson.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Shellbrook Pentecostal Church. Pastor Dave Bodverson officiating. Interment will follow at the Shellbrook Cemetery in the Legion Section.

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lynn Anderson, Funeral Director, Shellbrook, SK 306-747-2828.

• Date : 2025-12-17
• Location : Shellbrook, SK