Helen Bailey

Helen Lorraine (Palmer) Bailey, 88, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, October 29, 2010, at the Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls. Helen was born December 17, 1921, in Jamestown, ND, to Forest W. and Clara (Iverson) Palmer. The family lived at Crystal Springs, ND, where her father was a grain elevator manager. When Helen was 5 years old he was transferred to Edgeley, ND, where she graduated in 1939 from Edgeley High School. After completing two years at Fargo Business College, Fargo, ND, she was secretary at the North Dakota State Board of Administration in Bismarck until she accepted a position as a stenographer/accountant at the Bank of North Dakota. Later she served as secretary to the chairman of the Non-Partisan League at their headquarters in Bismarck. She married Raymond Bailey of Wing, ND, September 8, 1946, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bismarck.   He had recently returned from five year’s service in the U S Army, including three years in the WWII Pacific Theater. Following their marriage they moved to Chicago, IL, where Raymond attended Coyne Technical College. They returned to Bismarck in 1947 where he was employed as Service Manager for the Gambles - Skogmo store. In 1950 they purchased the Gambles store in Washburn, ND, which they operated until returning to Bismarck in 1967 where Raymond was Service Manager of the Tempo store. In 1971 the Baileys moved to Fergus Falls MN where he assumed a similar position with Bristol’s Appliance. Following her husband's death in July, 1990, Helen worked with Green Thumb as a secretary at the FFCC Library and then at the office of Lutheran Social Services. She volunteered at the Otter Tail County Historical Society, the Pioneer Home, the YMCA, and for the VA Stamp Collecting Club.   She was a leader in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck and later Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. She aspired to be a writer, even compiling several books of memories. She also loved painting, sewing, and cake decorating. She had an extensive stamp collection and in later years become involved in the study of genealogy through the Otter Tail County Genealogical Society, the Walter Palmer Genealogical Society of Stonington, CT, and the Grafton Historical Society of Vermont. In 2001 she was diagnosed with macular degeneration and become legally blind a few months later. She underwent many treatments to keep her remaining vision from getting worse. After their children were grown, the Baileys traveled extensively including many places where their sons were stationed in the U S Army. Helen has visited Germany, England, Scotland, Hawaii, Colorado, Washington, D.C., West Point, N.Y., and the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. Since Raymond's death, she continued her travels, including a trip to New England and three trips to Alaska. Even in her 85th year her son, Arden, took her camping in southwestern USA where she "watched" a glorious sunrise over the Grand Canyon. She is survived by two sons, Colonel (Ret.) Palmer K. (Bonnie) Bailey, Anchor Point, AK; Arden L. Bailey and friend, Erica Hutchings, West Yellowstone, MT; one daughter, Rosa Lynne (Ron) Jones, Fridley, MN, and three granddaughters, Laura (Ben) Lyons of West Rutland, VT, Sara (David) Phillips of Upland, IN, and Raelynne Jones of Fridley, MN. Her first great-grandchild is due to be born in Vermont next March.      In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given in her honor to the organization of the donor’s choice. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Service:  2 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Kate Bruns and Reverend Lauren Youngdale Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com