Iris (Riley) Weiland

Dear Friends and Family of Iris (Riley) Weiland,

Iris Weiland, passed away peacefully at 93 years old in Madison Wisconsin. Iris leaves an amazing legacy of warmth, inclusion, smiling, laughter, and hospitality at a moment’s notice. She was adventurous, curious, and kind. She laid a solid foundation to build a strong independent family whose roots and ties brought them back home regularly.  Iris and her husband George Weiland split time between Madison Wisconsin and Naples Florida, until recently living in Oakwood Village University Woods.

Iris began her life in West Bend Wisconsin in the city closest to the family farm. The early loss of her father Harold Riley, West Bend, drove the importance of family and living life.  Her scientific and curious mind paved the way for nature hikes learning and teaching. She loved watching birds, collecting seashells, identifying flowers and trees, and would catch bugs to show her kids.  She met George while being professionally educated as a nurse at Saint Mary’s in Milwaukee. She loved dancing and not surprisingly, they met at one of the many school dances.  She and George built a wonderful robust life, were married and she joined George in Stuttgart, Germany where George was stationed in the Army. She worked as an administrative clerk in the Department of War (United States Civilian work.) Those adventures shaped their lives together.

Iris was active socially and athletically. She loved a good walk, dancing, skiing, and playing tennis. She was kind.

She held George’s spirit of fun, Iris was always ready to go, explore new places, or entertain. She could graciously put on a spread for Thanksgiving to rival no one or throw a great cocktail party before the game and always ready to sing Christmas carols with neighborhood friends. She was the ultimate organizer running a household or epic road-trips with a car full of kids, luggage, and stuff to keep them busy.  She and George were early travelers through Friendship Force (founded by Roselyn and Jimmy Carter) and made friends across the globe. They were socially engaged members of GYRO and the Harlequin Dance club and loved dancing any chance they could.

Whether you are family or friends from Madison, Naples, West Bend or Jaycees in Madison, or GYRO International, bridge club or one of the treasured neighbors Iris would always put on a pot of coffee to connect with friends.

Iris (Riley) Weiland will be missed by her family; John Weiland in Colorado, Mary (Weiland) Lindquist in Madison, Kathy (Weiland) and Eric Thayer in Colorado, Patricia Weiland in South Carolina, Rita Weiland (daughter in law) in Madison and Joseph Weiland and Vibeke (Staal) Weiland in California. She leaves three grandchildren Wiley Thayer, Evy Weiland and Tor Weiland. Her brother, and his children, Thomas Riley who live near West Bend.

She is preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband George Weiland, her parents Harold and Katherine Riley of West Bend, her son James Weiland of Madison and her son-in-law Gary Lindquist of Madison.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Agrace Hospice whose care made Iris (and family) more comfortable.

A Celebration of Iris's Life will be held from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at Oakwood West, 6205 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI  53705, in the Nakoma Westmorland room.  

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406