Bernice ‘Toots’ L. Bailey, 96

Madelia – Bernice “Toots” L. Bailey, age 96, of rural Madelia, died Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at her home with her family by her side.

Funeral Service was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Vernon Center. Interment was in Vernon Center Cemetery. Arrangements are by Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, www.mankatomortuary.com.

Toots was born Sept. 3, 1925, to Jacob J. and Martha L. (Ganzel) Denn in Decoria Township, rural St. Clair. Toots moved with her family to rural Garden City as a child. She attended the Nobles Country School through sixth grade, then the Oliver Country School through eighth grade. She then returned two years later to school in Madelia and then Garden City where she graduated in 1946. Toots was united in marriage to Richard E. Bailey on May 1, 1948, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Vernon Center. They were blessed with three daughters. Toots was a farm wife, mother, and right-hand man for Richard. Toots worked right along with Richard as they farmed and did custom farming thru the years. She held “Coffee Party” on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at her home for many years. She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and a 50-year member of “Mother’s Club”. She was an avid reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles and word searches, watching and feeding the birds and being outdoors.

Toots is survived by her three daughters, Vickie (Dale) Wiederhoeft of Winnebago, Karen (Dale) Lachmiller of Garden City, and Laurie (Buck) Halverson of Blue Earth; six grandchildren, Adam (Katie) Wiederhoeft of Rosemount, Mandi (Paul) Russow of Nicollet, Marissa (Patrick) Pfeffer of Mapleton, Heidi (Dan) Nelson of North Mankato, Andrea (Brett Wedlund) Halverson of Cottage Grove, and Stacy Johnston of Rochester; twelve great-grandchildren, Oliver and Emery Wiederhoeft, Anna and Maddie Russow, Ava Pfeffer, Morgan (Adam Martin) Nelson, Chris and Kaden Nelson, Henry Forsberg, Easton, Tristan and Finley Johnston; great-great-granddaughter, Keira Martin; brother, Richard (Barb) Denn of Madelia; brother-in-law, Delphin Kietzer of Vernon Center; many nieces and nephews.

Toots was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard on February 1, 2015; siblings, Warren (Sylvia) Denn, Robert (Esther) (Judy) Denn, Marion (Darrel) VanSickle, Doris Kietzer; sister-in-law, Gerry (J.T.) Rutherford; brother-in-law, Durwood Bailey.

Toots will be forever missed and remembered fondly by family and friends.