Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Iris (Steele, Clement) Brown

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Iris (Steele, Clement) Brown, 100, died peacefully at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield on Sunday, May 1, 2016.

Iris R. Steele was born Oct. 23, 1915, to Oscar and Sarah Steele of Gurney, Wis. Her wish was to be cremated with no viewing.

After graduation from Saxon High School, she worked in Chicago as a cook and then in a torpedo factory to aid the war effort during World War II. She returned to Saxon, Wis., in 1943 to marry Paul "Napoleon" Clement. They purchased the farm in Saxon which was Paul's parents, Napoleon and Lydia Clement's, homestead. Together they had four children. Their first born, only son, Paul Douglas died at 11 months of age in 1946. The years to come brought three daughters, Marcia Bringardner of Wind Lake, Wis., Bonnie (Edward) Crawford of Lewes, Del., and Barbara (Mark) Mahla of Superior, Wis.

Iris was a great cook and always had fresh baked breads, rolls, cakes and yes, pies, which she enjoyed preparing for family and friends. She was blessed with wonderful friends and family.

After her husband, Paul, died in 1966, she put her cooking and baking skills to work at local nursing homes in the Hurley and Ironwood areas. She married Albert Brown in 1982, a very kind man, whom she met at their church in Ironwood. Iris was deeply religious. Albert Brown preceded her in death.

Iris was a proud and loving grandmother to Mark and Paul Bringardner, Michael Crawford, Lauren (Crawford) Callahan and Jakob Mahla. She was a special adopted grandma to Corrie, Carly, Maggie and Molly Reil.

Besides her parents, first husband, Paul; her second husband, Albert; and her son, Paul Douglas; she was preceded in death by three siblings, George and Charles Steele, and Lillian (Steele) Andrews.

Iris is survived by a sister, Vendetta (Steele) Walters of Geneva, Ill .; her daughters; grandchildren; and many caring nieces, nephews, and very loving friends. A special thanks to all the staff at Gogebic Medical Care Facility for five years of loving care.

A graveside service will be held at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery in Saxon.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer is assisting the family with arrangements. To view this obituary online, visit us at rangefuneralservices.com.