Iris Kay Rhodes

Iris Kay Rhodes, 83, passed away on October 24, 2022 after a short illness. Iris was born on May 29, 1939 in Cando, North Dakota. Iris grew up on a farm with her two sisters and two brothers. When Iris was 13 years old, her Mom, Helen (Erikson) and Harry (Bud) Baker and siblings moved to Washington State. Iris graduated from Kent-Meridian High School and stayed active in their alumni society, attending as many class reunions as she could.

Iris met Donald Lee Rhodes at a motorcycle race. She was sitting on top of a truck and accidently kicked him in the head. They started dating immediately and she liked to say she must have damaged his brain when she kicked him, because she couldn’t believe he would go out with her. But actually, they made a perfect couple. Opposites definitely attracted with them! Don was quiet and reserved. Iris was outgoing and made friends with everyone she met. On December 30, 1961, they married.

In 1963, they started an off-road motorcycle business. Iris was the business mind and Don was the mechanical genius. It worked well for 30 years! In 1964, their daughter Dawn Lynn Rhodes (Ross) was born and in 1968, their son David James Rhodes was born. Of course it was a family business and everyone did their part. It was rough financially, but an amazing way to grow up. The people we met are still our friends.

Iris decided to add to her work life and started working at American Express as an Account Representative and based on her amazing sales and business know-how, was promoted to Account Manager. She also won Team Member of the Year for the company. Iris loved meeting new people, and always kept her Mid-west people friendly personality! She always addressed everyone in business or personal as “dear”.

Iris had an amazing and full family life with five grandchildren, Cameron and Heather Ross, Daisy, Joey and Adam Rhodes. She also has two great-grandsons, Christopher Ross and Jasper Rodarte. She loved them all very much and enjoyed spending time with them. They kept her young and very busy!

Iris loved to travel and especially loved going to motorcycle races. She and Don traveled to multiple countries supporting David’s racing career. Iris also loved returning to her childhood farm where she grew up.

Iris has now joined her soulmate and true love, Don. They will be together forever.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in January at Greenwood Memorial in Renton.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you support our parent’s love of motorcycles with a donation in their names to: http://nmaoffroad.org/nma-donate

A visitation for Iris will be held Wednesday, November 2, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Greenwood Memorial Park Funeral Home, 350 Monroe Ave Ne, Renton, WA 98056.

A graveside service will occur Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Mountain View Cemetery, 2020 Mountain View Dr, Auburn, WA 98001.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenwoodmempark.com for the Rhodes family.