Obituary for Amy Ann Bailey

Amy Ann Bailey, age 83, died peacefully in her sleep early in the morning of August 10, 2022.

Amy was born January 4, 1939 in Clear Lake, SD where she lived and attended school until her marriage to Dennis Bailey of Gary, SD. She graduated high school in Watertown, SD and lived in Oxnard, CA until moving back to SD, living first in Watertown again before settling in Gary, SD.

A devoted mother, Amy was an active participant with everything involving her daughters. She volunteered and served with the church and in the schools, as well as other community groups. She taught Sunday School, coached soft ball, led Girl Scouts and 4-H.

A lifelong learner, Amy completed her first certification course to become the bookkeeper of the trucking business she ran with her husband. This served as the beginning of the successful accounting and banking career she began after raising her children. She relocated and lived in several communities throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. She began her life in most of these places with a search for a church with a choir. She loved singing.

Amy valued education, taking every opportunity to hone her knowledge and skills through coursework, trainings, and clubs such as Toastmasters, as well as working with the United Way. She earned awards and achieved leadership positions as she went.

Amy loved to travel, taking multiple trips with whichever daughter or grandchild was available. She enjoyed dancing, the theater, and other performing arts. She loved solving puzzles, Sudoku, crosswords, word puzzles of all kinds. An avid reader her entire life, mysteries were her favorite.

Quiet, independent, and more solitary than most, she might go unnoticed, but if you took the time to know her you might discover a quick wit, dry sense of humor, and an art for sarcasm.

Amy found NFL football later in life and her passion for the Vikings ran deep. With retirement, she surprised herself, discovering a new kind of love with animals, forming profound attachments first to Morgan (cat), then with Izzy (dog), and with Tam (cat).

More than anything, Amy loved her family best. She was happiest when with them.

Amy was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth Holt and Clifford Holt and brother, Merle.

She is survived by her sister, Carolyn; brother, Jim; four daughters and sons-in-law, Bailey Bear, Dawn Nordby (Kent), Gail Meyer (Joe), Lori Roepke (Gary); grandchildren, Casey (Gayla), Rachel (Levi), Lindsay (Mike), Jordan, Kelsey, Brandan (Madeline), Melissa (Tom), Laura (Torrey), Katie (John); great-grandchildren, Isaac, Aria, Finn, Celia, Clara, Cheyann, CJ, Carter, and Piper; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 21st, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. with a short memorial at 3:00 p.m. at the home of: Lori and Gary Roepke, 3291 Ulm Avenue, Stewart, MN 55385.

If so desired, memorials may be sent to the family at: Gail Meyer, 6988 West Shadow Lake Drive, Lino Lakes, MN 55014.