Irene (Grigas) Edwards, 57

Irene (Grigas) Edwards, 57, passed away on Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at the Health Center Northwest in Kalispell.

She was born in Augsburg, Germany, on Oct. 13, 1955, to Charlie and Hilda Grigas.  

Irene was the older of two children. The family moved to Fort Hood, Texas, when she was 6 years old, and to Marina, Calif., when she was 16. She graduated in 1973 from Seaside High School.

The family then moved to Salinas, where Irene met and married Pete Edwards in 1975. Their son, Bryan, was born May 14, 1992. In 1993, the Edwards moved to the Flathead. Pete and Irene divorced in 2003.

Bryan was the love of her life, and being a West Valley Parent Teacher Organization officer and a soccer mom helped her feel fulfilled. Irene loved to camp and hike, and to go on road trips. Stopping at a national park always seemed to be on the itinerary. Irene took Bryan to Zion, Grand Canyon, Estes, Mount Rushmore, Teton, Craters of the Moon, Crater Lake Oregon, Yellowstone Park and more. Living in the Flathead was a natural place for her love of beauty in nature to be complete.

Irene was very committed to her work at Smith Valley School, where she was the business manager for the last 11 years. Her colleagues became a large group of extended family who held her and Bryan very near and dear to their hearts.

Irene loved animals, children, the Dallas Cowboys and purple. She enjoyed anything crafty, including scrapbooking and making jewelry. She loved to read, to watch birds and animals, to garden and to decorate. Every holiday was another decorating opportunity.  

Irene heroically battled Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) cancer for more than 25 years. She overcame an aneurysm, two brain tumors and survived five kidney surgeries as a result of this cancer. Irene was a model of courage for everyone who knew her. Her spirit to forever fight and win the battle was always her goal. Her goal was reached. She passed away on Feb. 4 — cancer free. She succumbed to complications from the results of dialysis.

Irene is survived by her son, Bryan Edwards; and the extended family she created from West Valley, soccer, Faucets & Fixtures, JCPenney and Smith Valley.

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

Memorial services for Irene will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, in the Smith Valley School gym.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Irene’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Irene’s tribute wall.