Alice Louise Bailey

Alice Louise (Bartell) Bailey, age 86, of Hastings, peacefully returned home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, July 2, 2021.  At the time of her passing she was surrounded by family at Thornapple Manor, where she had been a resident for nearly 7 years.  She was born July 15, 1934, in Mason City, IA the daughter of Delos A. and Lucille M. (Scoville) Bartell.  Alice was a 1952 graduate of Mason City High School.  Following high school she worked at Montgomery Wards as a PBX (phone) operator where one day she met the love of her life and future husband, John D. Bailey.  They were married December 24, 1953, in Mason City, IA.  Alice and John at 5'1" and 6'6"; respectively, always made a lasting impression wherever they went.

Alice had a special love of being outdoors, photography and gardening.  She could always be found tending to her beautiful flower gardens around home.  She also participated in the Hastings Gardening Club where she volunteered creating and tending to gardens in the community.  She was a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Iowa Hawkeyes who she cheered on through thick and thin.  But first and foremost, Alice was a devoted and loving mother.  She loved supporting her husband and 7 boys in all that they did, and that surely meant she was an avid sports fan.  She likely attended about 1000 sporting events in support of her family.  There was one instance where Alice had her husband and multiple sons playing on four different ball fields at the same time and she managed to make sure that she was at every one of those games...at least for a little while…that was important to her.  She was the #1 fan of "her boys".  Being "Mom" was her most important calling in life.  She continued mothering right to the very end; always inquiring about her husband, her boys, and their families…she was always in "mother mode".   She recently had the wonderful opportunity to take a 5-generation picture with her family…those were the moments she cherished most.  Alice was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she attended church in Hastings.

Alice is survived by her husband, John.  Also surviving are her brother Rex (Cecilia) Bartell of San Marco, TX; 6 sons: William L. Bailey of Jackson, James L. (Debbie) Bailey of Hastings, Daniel D. Bailey of Las Vegas, NV, John D. (Shelly) Bailey II of Battle Creek, Brian C. (Lori) Bailey of Hudsonville, and Bradley G. (Angeline) Bailey of Herriman, UT; 28 Grandchildren, 38 Great Grandchildren, and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.  Family was and is Alice's greatest love and legacy.  Alice was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Dr. Larry S. Bartell, Glenn A. Bartell, her son David J. (Mandi) Bailey, and a very special Granddaughter Brooklyn M. Bailey.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 10th 9:00-10:00 AM for family, 10:00-11:00 AM for the public, and Memorial Services will begin at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 505 N. Airport Road in Hastings.  Graveside service will immediately follow at Hastings Township Cemetery located at McKeown Road, 1/8 mile north of Thornapple Manor and the Thornapple River.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Alice's honor may be made to the Thornapple Garden Club in Hastings.  Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.