Obituary: Irisanne Bryant Baker

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. Iris's family moved to Colorado when she was 11, and it was there 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 her family to Great Falls, and in 1974, she moved to the community of Cascade, where she remained for the rest of her life.

It should be no surprise 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. She continued to work there until relocating to Great Falls, where she went to work for Lewis Construction as a bookkeeper. She worked at several construction companies through the years until she retired.

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 care for her kids and keep them safe. She knew moving to a small town could help her do that. There is no doubt that she considered her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids her greatest accomplishments in life. 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, you were her kid for life. Iris made an impression on all who met her. As her kids got older, she found a great group of friends in Cascade who were so dear to her heart. She was able to have some of the best times of her life with them.

Iris is survived by her partner of 40 years, Harlan Den Boer of Cascade, her children Dawn Makoski of Stevensville, Denny (Lynn) Creech, Lenny Creech, and Brad (Sherron) Den Boer all 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.

We are asking that memorials be sent to Wedsworth Hall, PO Box 164, Cascade, MT 59421. The hall is currently fundraising 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.

Her family will be hosting a Celebration of Life on her property in Cascade in June. We will share details as they are determined.