Irene Restad

Irene Caras Restad, 94, died peacefully on June 15, 2017. She was born in 1922 in the Orchard Homes section of Missoula to James and Bergene Caras. She grew up in a close-knit family with her parents, two brothers, and one sister, and learned her work ethic while working in the family business, Garden City Floral. She always recalled her father's advice: “Always look busy. If you just swept the floor and have nothing else to do, sweep it again.” She attended the Hawthorne grade school and graduated from Missoula County High School before going on to study at what is now the University of Montana in Missoula. She attended the University during World War II and men on campus were scarce at that time. However, there were pilot cadets rotating in and out of the school as part of their training. Irene was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and happened to answer the phone one day at the sorority house. The caller asked if anyone there would be interested in a blind date with a nice airman. Irene said she'd be interested and went on a date with Lt. Lawrence “Larry” Restad, Army Air Corps. The date went well and the two kept in touch after Larry's orders sent him away to flight school. She graduated from the University in 1945. When the war was over, Larry wanted to get married but Irene insisted on completing a second degree in Occupational Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis. The two finally married in 1947 and spent almost 68 years together until Larry's death in 2015. The couple settled in Billings – Larry's hometown – and both started their careers. Irene was one of the first Occupational Therapists in Montana and worked at the Montana Center for Handicapped Children for over a decade. When her son Mark was born she decided to leave the workforce and become a full-time mom. When Mark was a teen, Irene went back to work at the Mental Health Center in Billings, where she worked until retiring in 1989. She was a long-time member for P.E.O and American Association of University Women. The family had many fun adventures camping, fishing, and exploring the region as Mark was growing up. After retirement, Irene was able to travel more and went on vacations all over the world including England, Greece, and Australia. When Mark married and they gained a daughter-in-law and two grandkids, Rob and Katie. The family expanded further when Mark and his wife, Veronica, had a daughter, Sarah, who spent much time at Irene and Larry's house when she was growing up. Nanny, as Sarah called her, was a great influence in Sarah's life and the two were very close. Irene was preceded in death by her husband Larry, parents James and Bergene, her brothers Jim and George, and sister Janet. She is survived by her son Mark, daughter-in-law Veronica, grandchildren Rob, Katie, and Sarah, and numerous nieces and nephews. She touched the lives of too many people to list here, but she was an exceptional woman who made the world a better place. A memorial service will be held at Dahl Funeral Chapel at 1:00pm on Friday, June 23 with interment with at Mountview Cemetery. All family and friends are invited to a reception and gathering to celebrate her life at the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings 3:00-5:00PM The family would like to thank the team at Highgate Senior Living for caring for Irene (and her ornery cat Tiki) in her last couple of years, with special thanks to her caregiver Mary. And thanks to the staff at Riverstone Hospice House for the compassionate care they provide in her final days. If desired, memorials may be made to the Humane Society in Irene's name.