Iris Clarmond Putnam

Iris Clarmond Chandler Putnam died Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Overland Court at the age of 98.

She was born 1927, in Malheur County, Oregon; near Weiser, Idaho, to George K. and Fannie Chandler. She was the first of four children and grew up living in the Annex District on the Oregon Side near Weiser.

Iris participated in 4-H Clubs from the age of 9 and the last year, she completed 9 different clubs.

Iris graduated from Ontario High School May, 1945 and worked as secretary to the Principal the following year.

Iris married Glenn F. Rice in 1947 in Weiser. They made their home in Astoria, Oregon until Glenn's discharge from the Navy when they moved back to Weiser. They were the parents of 3 sons, Darwin Glenn, Wesley Don and Ralph Kenelm. This marriage ended in divorce.

Iris and her 3 sons moved to Boise, Idaho where they lived until 1970.

Iris loved music and was often involved singing solos, duets with her sister Lorna, in trios, choirs and chorues. She played for dances with her mother and brother, Wayne, for several years. She enjoyed singing on radio stations, KBOI, Boise, KORC, Corvallis, KWEI, Weiser; KIDO, Boise; KCID Caldwell and KBOI TV. She loved directing choirs, who performed several Easter and Christmas cantatas.

Iris and Donald L. Putnam were married 9 Sept. 1970 in the Logan Temple, in Logan, Utah. They made their home in Hermiston, Oregon; where Don worked at the U.S. Postal Service. They both liked to garden, they loved to share plants and garden produce with everyone.

Iris was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. She served as Relief Society President in 71–73 and again in 83–85; She was President and counselor of the Y.W. organization and many other activities through the years.

She worked as a trafficaunt for KBOI–TV & Radio, and was also involved in making commercials and modeling for radio and TV. She enjoyed meeting many celebrities who visited at the studio to be interviewed for TV news. She worked as office manager and chair side in a dental office; a floral designer at a floral shop; and secretary at the Oregon Bishops Central Storehouse for 14 years before retiring in 1998.

Iris is survived by her son, Wesley and wife, Jan Rice, Boise; stepson Gary and wife, Cheryl Putnam, Tucson, Az.; step daughter Leslie Ann and husband Coleman Devée, Pendleton, Or.; Her sister Lorna Ray, Centennial, Co; and a brother, Dean Chandler, Boise, Idaho. She had 18 grand children, 22 great grand children and 4 great, great, grandchildren.

Graveside services will be Monday, 11/24/25 at 1:00pm at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weiser, Idaho.

Services and burial are under the direction of Relyea Funeral Chapel, Boise, ID.

Hillcrest Cemetery Address:

215 E. Indian Head Rd.

Weiser, ID 83672