Richard Eugene Bailey

Mankato Mortuary 1001 N. Riverfront Drive Mankato, Minnesota 56001 507-388-2202 Richard "Dick" Eugene Bailey, age 87, of Madelia, died peacefully at his home Sunday, February 1, 2015 surrounded by his family. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2015 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Vernon Center, with Rev. Monte Meyer officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Mankato Mortuary, and continue one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in Vernon Center Cemetery. Richard was born in the Village of Vernon Center, MN on June 20, 1927 to Edward and Leona (Matteson) Bailey. He attended grade school in Vernon Center and high school in Garden City, but left his senior year to join the war effort. His high school diploma would later be awarded. Richard was sworn into the Navy on February 8, 1945. He served as a Fireman First Class on the USS Markab Ad-21 and worked with the steam engines. Richard was honorably discharged on June 30, 1946. On May 1, 1948, he was united in marriage to Bernice Denn at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Vernon Center. Together they were blessed with 3 daughters. Richard and Bernice farmed for many years, while doing custom work with combines and trucking. Later he was an Owner/Operator, and loved life on the road. Richard was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church and a life-time member of the Madelia VFW 3842 and American Legion Post 19. He was proud to be a life-time member of the Truckers Association. Richard had a strong sense of patriotism, participated in color guards and parades. He loved snowmobiling, hunting, motorcycling, playing cards, and ballroom dancing - but only with Mama. Richard enjoyed time with his family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a strong-willed man and had a quick-witted personality. Richard always called life as he saw it, and had a quip or ditty for you. Once you had met him, you would never forget him. Richard will be forever missed and remembered fondly by family and friends. Richard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bernice "Toots"; 3 daughters, Vickie (Dale) Wiederhoeft, of Winnebago, Karen (Dale) Lachmiller, of Garden City, and Laurie (Buck) Halverson, of Blue Earth; grandchildren, Adam (Katie) Wiederhoeft, of Rosemount, Mandi (Paul) Russow, of Nicollet, Marissa (Patrick) Pfeffer of Mapleton, Heidi (Dan) Nelson, of North Mankato, Andrea ( Dave) Forsberg, of Andover, and Stacy (Dan) Johnston, of Rochester; great-grandchildren, Anna and Maddie Russow, Ava Pfeffer, Morgan, Christopher, and Kaden Nelson, Henry Forsberg, and Easton and Tristan Johnston; sister, Gerry Rutherford, of Louisianna, MO; sister-in-law, Doris (Delphin) Kietzer, of Vernon Center, Judy (Robert) Denn, of Madelia; brother-in-law, Richard (Barb) Denn, of Madelia; and many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Leona Bailey; brother, Durwood Bailey; brothers-in-law, J.T. Rutherford, Warren Denn, Robert Denn, and Darrel VanSickle; and sisters-in-law, Sylvia Denn, Esther Denn, and Marion VanSickle.