Iva was born in Wadena, SK the first of 9 children, to Elis and Sadie Gradin. She attended Moosehorn School and took grade 12 at Wadena High School, then attended Wynyard Business College after which she worked at the Bank of Montreal in Yorkton moving up to become the manager's secretary. In 1949 Iva married Walter Wallster in a double wedding ceremony with sister Elna who married Ed Harmsworth. Walter and Iva lived in Hendon where they raised their four children. Iva kept a bountiful garden and maintained a well-kept home. She worked for Home Care, was active with the Alzheimer's Group, and worked for the Wadena News. She also did the typing for the "Hendon Highlights" (1982) and Wadena History Books. Over the years Iva and Walter enjoyed many fishing and berry picking trips and square and pattern dancing with family and friends. Iva was involved in various community groups including the Hendon Community Club and the Scandia Evangelical Lutheran Women and Hendon Senior Citizens. Iva was a devoted church organist for over fifty years. In later years she enjoyed knitting. In 2006 Iva moved to Wadena and in 2012 she moved to Saskatoon.
Iva was predeceased by husband Walter; parents Elis and Sadie Gradin: siblings Elna, Eunice and Elden. Iva is survived by four children: Irene (Les) Cannam and their four children Scott (Allison), Chelsea Cannam (Cam Neufeld) and son Ami, Danielle (Shawn) Campbell and daughter Liv, Marlin (Jody) and sons Myles and Eli; son Ross; Arlene (Martin) Paul and son Oliver; Vivian (Marte) McGunigal, Austin (Alyssia Disiewich) and sons Kashton and Kendrick and daughter Lindy McGunigal. Iva is also survived by siblings Elsie Harvey, Glen (Diane), Lynn (Connie), Neil (Dianne), Connie (Don) Mackay, and sisters-in-law Marion Gradin, Inez Neilson, Gladys (Cliff) Anderson, and Doris (Ray) Vogel and many relatives.