David L. Ironmaker

David L. Ironmaker, 57, of Great Falls, passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at his residence.

Wake services will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rocky Boy and will continue until his traditional funeral service, which will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014. Burial will follow in the Rocky Boy Veterans Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements, and you can leave your memories and condolences for the family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

David was born on June 26, 1956, to James and Margaret (WindChief) Ironmaker Sr., in Fort Belknap. He was raised in Idaho, Utah, North Dakota and Montana, completing his high school education in Great Falls. In 1982, he entered the U.S. Army and was medically discharged after two years due to a back injury. He returned to Great Falls following his discharge and married Francie Evans in 1984. The couple's union was blessed with three children. They made their home in Great Falls, where Davey worked for several years as a ranch hand before graduating from Great Falls VoTech with a culinary degree. He cooked and baked in various restaurants before opening his own restaurant, Morning Star, which he ran for a couple of years before the back injury he sustained in the Army flared up, and he had to sell.

During this time, he also served as director of the Boys & Girls Club in Great Falls. After his restaurant was sold, Davey began sculpting Indian artwork, which he continued until 2000. He also worked as a mechanic, plumber and carpenter until 2010, when his illness prevented him from working.

Davey was an easygoing man who enjoyed attending rodeos and powwows. He loved going to bingo and attending rummage sales, and absolutely adored HIS New York Yankees.

Playing practical jokes was second nature to him, along with listening to his old rock, especially the Eagles and Credence Clearwater Revival. In his down time, he enjoyed reading, barbecuing family dinners, and socializing with family and friends.His most special moments, however, were those he spent with his wife and children, and he loved playing with his grandchildren.

Davey was preceded in death by his parents, James and Margaret Ironmaker Sr .; his first grandchild, Angel Denny; his brother, John Ironmaker; his sister, Allison St. Marks; his adopted brother, Jon Morsette; his adopted sister, Janet Belcourt; his brother-in-law, Lenno Henderson; and other extended family members.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Francie Evans-Ironmaker of Great Falls; his son Lee Ironmaker of Great Falls; his daughters, Danielle and Kelli Ironmaker of Great Falls; his three grandchildren, Xavier, Jenna and Jezzie Denny of Great Falls; his brothers, Robert (Loretta) Ironmaker of Fort Belknap, James (Monica) Ironmaker Jr. of Elmo, and Lee Ironmaker of Great Falls; his sisters, Ona Ironmaker of Great Falls and Kay (Alan) Azure and Jacalyn Ironmaker, all of Havre; his adopted brothers, Rick (Theda) Morsette of Rocky Boy and James Morsette of Newtown, N.D .; his adopted sisters, Patty Henderson and Avis (Henry Gardipee) Morsette, all of Rocky Boy; his uncles, Kenny Writing Bird of Rocky Boy and Conrad Chippewa of Great Falls; his aunts, Nadine Morsette and Ruby Stump, both of Rocky Boy; and his beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.