Earlene Bailey, 88 of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday, March 17, 2017 at her home after a courageous year long battle with pancreatic cancer. Earlene was born February 10, 1929 in Kansas City, KS, the daughter of Earl and Mary Violet (Noakes) Johnston. She graduated in 1947 from University High School in Lawrence and attended Lawrence Business College. While in high school, Earlene worked in the offices of the Journal World News, so that she could pay for flying lessons. During that time, she was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Earlene was married to Kenneth E. Bailey, Sr. On March 1, 1948 in Topeka, , and moved to their farm in Oskaloosa, where she helped with farming and cattle operations until their children went to college. One of her proudest moments was when she was given the Farm Bureau National Woman of the Year Award. Earlene later worked 19 years as a bookkeeper for Kaw Valley Grain in Perry and then for an additional 10 years for White Cloud Grain in Lawrence and Topeka. When her children were young, Earlene served as a Cub Scout Den Leader and as a sewing and cooking leader for the local 4-H club. In later years, she became an accomplished artist in many mediums with her work in oils and water colors being here favorite. Earlene also enjoyed gardening and quilt making and was a voracious reader. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence, where she had served as a Stephen Minister and Financial Secretary and was a member of WELCA. Through a ministry at her church, she was involved in making hundreds of charity quilts.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Kenneth E. "Ken" Bailey, Sr, of the home, two Sons, Kenneth E. Jr. (Carla) Bailey, Dodge City, Tim (Marla) Bailey, Oskaloosa, one daughter, Debbie (John) Vensel, Butler, PA, six grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and 10 step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.
Memorial Service will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 23 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 New Hampshire, Lawrence. Family Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday at Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa. Cremation is planned and inurnment will be at Pleasant View Cemetery, Oskaloosa at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Jefferson County Friends of Hospice or to Trinity Lutheran Church in care of the Funeral Home, P.O. Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS 66066. www.barnettfamilyfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
So sorry to hear of Earlene's passing, you are all in our thoughts and prayers
Dean /Jo Cross
March 20, 2017
Kenneth, So sorry to read of Earlene's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Doris & LeRoy Bateson
March 20, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with Earlene's family and friends. I am so glad I got to know her through Trinity Lutheran. Such a sweet person.
March 19, 2017
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Nathalie Crew
March 19, 2017
MAY THE THOUGHT OF KNOWING THAT FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHARE IN YOUR GRIEF BRING YOUR FAMILY A MEASURE OF COMFORT.PLEASE READ PROV 17:17
KELLEY
March 19, 2017
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
Funeral services provided by:
Barnett Family Funeral Home - Oskaloosa1220 Walnut Street PO Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS 66066
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more