Irisanne Bryant Baker, 81, of Cascade, passed peacefully on January 3, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 17, 1943, to Alvin Bryant and Delores Spencer in Joplin, Mo.
Her father’s job took them to Kansas City, Mo., Houston, Tex., with them eventually landing in Rock Creek Canyon south of Colorado Springs, Colo. when she was 11. It was here, along with her daddy and brother, that she was introduced to a lifelong passion for horses, cowboys and the western lifestyle. She treasured that time of her life. She graduated from Fountain-Fort Carson High School in 1961.
In 1971, Iris moved with her kids to Great Falls, Mont., and in 1974, she moved her family to the community of Cascade, where she remained for the rest of her life.
It should also be no surprise that Iris began working at the age of 14, where she joined her mother at the mail order catalog company Walter Drake and Sons in Colorado Springs, where she continued to work until she moved to Montana. Once she arrived in Great Falls, she went to work for Lewis Construction as a bookkeeper. She worked at several construction companies through the years, with her last full-time bookkeeping position being at Marra, Wenz, Johnson and Hopkins. Our mother had a phenomenal work ethic and was a remarkable provider for her family.
Anyone who knew Iris, could see how hard she worked to take care of her kids and keep them safe. She knew that moving to a small town could help her attain that goal. She could be described as strong, confident, feisty, funny and fun loving. She was tough as nails with an equally soft heart. If you were a friend of one of her kids, she considered you her kid for life. As her kids got older, she could finally slow down a bit and was able to find a special group of friends in Cascade who were so dear to her heart. She was able to travel a bit with them and truly had some of the funnest times of her life with them.There is no doubt that she considered her kids, grandkids and great grandkids her greatest accomplishments in life. Iris made an impression on all who met her.
Iris is survived by her partner of 40 years, Harlan Den Boer of Cascade, her children Dawn Makoski of Stevensville, Denny (Lynn) Creech and Lenny Creech of Lincoln, and Jodi Baker of Stevensville. Grandchildren, John (Heather) Makoski, Colten Creech-Mast, Jordan Doland, Kade Creech, Gavin Mestas and Gracie Mestas. Her great grandchildren, Caiden, Ryan and Scarlett. Also surviving her are her siblings, Norman Bryant, Dixie Spencer and Byron Hamilton Jr. Iris was preceded in death by her father, her mother, and her sweetest of all dogs, Bandy. The family would like to thank Dave Brost, PA and staff at Sletten Cancer Center as well as Rebecca Love, NP and the PCVU staff at Benefis for their heartfelt and comforting care of our mom.
We are asking that memorials be sent to Wedsworth Hall, PO Box 164, Cascade, MT 59421. The hall is currently fund-raising to purchase new roller skates and since our Mom was always supportive of anything for the kids of Cascade, we thought this would make her very happy. Arrangements are being handled by Croxford Funeral Home in Great Falls and her family will be hosting a Celebration of Life on her property in Cascade in June. We will share details as they are determined.
Author: Staff
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