Jane Bailey

Jane Ann (Wolf) Bailey, age 78, of Le Roy, MN formerly of Sauk Centre, MN, died after a courageous battle against Lewy Body Dementia, surrounded by her family under the care of St. Croix Hospice at Wildwood Grove Assisted Living and Memory Care in Le Roy, MN on July 26, 2024. 

A funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 11 AM with Reverend Marty Porter officiating. The burial will be held in the Silver Creek Cemetery, Todd County. 

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 5 to 8 PM at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. A prayer service will close the visitation at 7:45 PM at the funeral home. Visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the service on Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church. There will be a time of fellowship and gathering after the service in the basement of the church. 

Jane Ann (Wolf) Bailey was born November 16, 1945, in Glenwood, MN. She was the oldest child of Walter M. and Mildred (McIntyre) Wolf. She attended Stiles Country School until 8th grade and graduated from Sauk Centre High in 1963, she then attended St. Cloud Business College in St. Cloud. When she returned to Sauk Centre, she began working at First State Bank, where she met the love of her life in September 1968, Dave Bailey. They were united in marriage on April 19,1969 at Zion Lutheran Church. They farmed outside of Sauk Centre for the rest of their lives. They have 3 daughters that they dearly loved, Lynn, Patricia, and Jennifer. 

Jane was a farm wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, secretary, gardener, Sunday School Teacher, 4-H leader, and Todd County 4-H leaders council member. Jane and Dave worked side by side on the farm and in business (MBC Drainage). Jane took over as secretary for MBC in 1984. She was a wonderful cook and baker. Anytime people were at the farm working, she made sure to feed them a full meal, dessert, and snacks; no one ever left the table hungry. Jane loved to bake, especially at Christmas. Her bon-bons were prized treats by the MBC crews over the years. She became a 2nd grade Sunday School teacher in 1981 and continued until 2003. She loved to learn about the Bible and took Bible classes whenever it was possible. Her faith sustained her and got her through many challenging times. When her girls talked her into letting them join 4H (West Union Country Kids), she never thought she would become so active in all aspects of 4H. She became a leader, project leader, and Todd County 4H leaders’ council member. Jane loved sewing. She made many clothes for her daughters, Dave, herself, and later her grandkids. Quilting became a pass time that brought enjoyment to her and anyone who received one of her quilts. Jane always had a large garden. She would spend days canning and freezing fruits and vegetables.

In later years, Jane and Dave could be found together doing many different activities, like going to auctions, square dancing, going on tractor drives, working in the gardens, running errands for MBC, or just driving around the countryside. She and Dave worked with the Sauk Centre FFA to start a Tractor Drive that has become an annual event. She enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage, board games, and taking day trips with the family. Jane will be deeply missed by her daughters and their families.

Jane is survived by her daughters, Lynn (Steve) Priebe of Valley City, ND, Patricia (Jeff) Rolfes, of Lake Park, IA, and Jennifer (Jon) Eickhoff, of Spring Valley, MN; grandchildren, Laura (Eric) Naragon, Redfield, IA, David Priebe and Allison and Elizabeth Eickhoff; great grandchildren, Hunter and Ayva Naragon; sister, Sharon Gertken (Tony) of Franklin, NC; brother, Gary Wolf of Kimball, MN; brother-in-law, James (Gloria) Bailey Sr. of Glenwood, MN; sister-in-law, Barbara Wiegers of Bloomington, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Dave; granddaughter, Sara Jane Rolfes; parents, Walter and Mildred Wolf; in-laws, John and Dorothea Bailey; brothers-in-law and spouses, Don (Arlene) Bailey and Art (Martha) Bailey; sister-in-law and spouse, Lois (Paul) Pischke; brother-in-law, Haven Wiegers; nephews, Doug Bailey and Paul Pischke Jr.; and niece, Lisa (Bailey) Laing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Zion Lutheran Church of Sauk Centre or the Sauk Centre FFA Chapter.