Irma Harrison

Irma Louise Harrison 5/9/1924-12/19/2019 Irma Louise Harrison was born to John and Margaret (Ibey) Jackson on May 9, 1924, in Jackson, Montana on the Jackson Ranch. Her dad was a descendant of the founders of Jackson, Montana who started the post office there. An excerpt from The Big Hole Basin News soon after her birth reads: “A sweet little girl babe came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Jackson last Friday. The news but voices the sentiment of a myriad of friends extending congratulations.” Irma went home to be with her Lord and Savior and all of her sisters and brothers on December 19, 2019 in Dillon, Montana. She was raised in Jackson, MT with four sisters and two brothers. One brother, Johnny, was killed by a .22 gun in a trapping accident on April 1, 1941. The younger years of her life were spent in Jackson, MT with much of her schooling taking place there. During warm weather they rode horses to school. In the winter they rode in a buggy to school with hot water bottles and hot bricks to keep them warm. Later they moved to 125 South Railroad in Dillon where many a Big Hole Valley/Grasshopper Valley student were housed (or anybody that needed a bed). She graduated from Beaverhead County High School in May 1942. She loved to sing and had an amazing voice. Because of this, she was accepted to a college in Minnesota on a vocal scholarship. She was headed that way until she realized how far she would be from her family and then chose to attend the Butte Business College. After graduation, she worked as a secretary at the Bagley School and was clerk of the Nelson School District #2. She then welcomed her daughter Rose Marie on November 18, 1943. On June 12, 1947 she married Bud Harrison in Whitehall, Montana. The couple moved to the Harrison Ranch north of Dillon. Together they welcomed Robert Dwight Harrison on July 3, 1955. She and her husband Bud worked on the ranch until Bud’s death in 1964. She was an amazing cook and often cooked all of the meals for the ranch crews. After Bud’s death in 1964 she moved to Dillon and worked at the Dillon Veterinary Hospital, Hazelbaker Title Company and Eliel’s Department Store. She was then appointed as the head clerk at the State Liquor Store in Dillon where she worked until her retirement in 1985. Her family was incredibly important to her and she spent much of her time with her sisters and brother and their families. It is truly the end of an era as she was preceded in death by all of her brothers and sisters. These include brother Johnny Jackson, sister Mae Nelson, brother Robert Jackson, sister Eda Shepherd, sister Ruth Harrison, and sister Catherine Cheek. She is survived by her son Robert Harrison, daughter Rose Marie Puyear (Don), granddaughter Cindy Wood (Zane), grandson Shane Puyear (Lacie), great grandchildren Shayla, Kyra, Parker and Paxton as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She loved music, the New York Yankees, Beaver basketball and football and a good joke (which often made us blush). She lived her life to the absolute fullest, loved children and dogs, and loved to see people smile. She will be missed immensely. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 28, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church in Dillon. Visitation will be Friday, December 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Vigil and Rosary immediately following the visitation.