Iris "Irie" Kastner

Iris “Irie” Mary Kastner was born to Frank and Ella Lang in Cincinnati, Ohio. She had two older brothers, Alan and Don, but was closest to her father and maternal grandmother who lived with the family. She grew up in Pleasant Ridge in the home her father built in 1931. She attended Nativity School for elementary school, Mt. Notre Dame for middle school, then graduated from Regina High School in Norwood.

After high school, Iris worked briefly as a mailroom/errand girl for Prudential Insurance

Company. She enjoyed an active social life with numerous friends at home, and also had

adventures abroad, traveling to Europe in her early twenties. She developed a strong wanderlust that would eventually take her to far-flung places (spontaneously jumping in the Trevi Fountain, breaking the sound barrier aboard the Concorde, searching for Marlon Brando’s glass-bottom house in Tahiti, and more). Her experiences contributed to her individual sense of style that many would describe as glamorous.

Iris met her future husband, Alfred “Dutch” Kastner, at Castle Farm dance hall in Roselawn where they danced to Glen Miller and Harry James while on dates with other people. They dated for two and a half years, and wed on November 6, 1954, at Nativity Church. They honeymooned in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As newlyweds, Iris and Dutch lived in an apartment in Pleasant Ridge before moving to a home in Kenwood to raise their growing family. Both of these residences were also built by her father.

Iris and Dutch had three children: Karen, Darcy, and Kurt. They had many happy years

watching their kids compete at Kenwood Swim Club, traveling (often to the Outer Banks, where her brother, Don, and his family lived), and hosting gatherings for friends and neighbors, including their annual Christmas Open House. Iris was well known in the community through her involvement in her kids’ school and sports activities, and especially in her role as “Blacktop Mom” at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic School.

Music was always playing throughout the Kastner house, and Iris had a beautiful voice. Her recording of “Somebody Loves Me” was played at her granddaughter's wedding for all eight grandparents to dance to. She adored eating out. Some of her favorite spots were Grafton’s, the piano bar at Sorrento’s, and Barresi’s where she always ordered the mostaccioli. Iris unapologetically indulged her sweet tooth with chocolate, and especially cake, whenever she craved it. She would giggle and say, “Let them eat cake!”

A nature lover, Iris had a particular fondness for animals, especially those most in need of love and care. They seemed to find their way to her, and she would pay for their veterinary care and help find them their forever home, which was often with her! In her later years, she chose to live full time in the farmhouse she and Dutch built on a plot of land in Morrow, Ohio. “The Farm” became the new headquarters for parties and gatherings for family and out-of-town guests. Out in the country, she embraced the beauty of her surroundings, and it became her joy and solace.

Some worried about her living alone, but she was independent and self-assured in her beliefs and her life decisions.

Iris had bottomless compassion for humans too. She would donate often and generously to the causes and people she cared about. She had dear friends from all walks of life because in her presence, everyone felt comfortable and accepted. Iris could be found riding elephants with Marge Schott one day, and catching up with her grocery cashier the next, and both relationships were equally important to her. Ever the hostess, Iris always had a place ready for entertaining guests, including the separate apartment she rented in Kenwood to host parties and visits from her out-of-town friends, of which she had many. Above all, she dedicated her life to her family. She was The Matriarch. She was behind the planning and execution of all Kastner family affairs, and she did it with grace, living by a philosophy that mirrored the Serenity Prayer.

She leaves behind a loving family: her children Karen Adams, Darcy Hansen (Drew), and Kurt Kastner (Jodi); her grandchildren Shelly Schibler (Mark), Ben Hansen (Chelsea), Nicholas Adams, Sam Kastner, and Joseph Kastner; her great-grandchildren Eames, Arlo, and Rook Schibler; her cousin Mary Schultz (Ron); as well as nieces and nephews from the Lang and Kastner families.

The Kastner family is grateful to Iris’s caregivers from The Lodge Retirement Community in Loveland, and Hospice of Cincinnati.

Iris’s Celebration of Life Open House will be from 2 - 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Kenwood residence of Kurt and Jodi Kastner on Miami Hills Drive.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your animal-welfare charity of choice.