Lila M. Bailey

Lila M. Bailey, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Spencer, SD, passed away on Friday, January 26, 2024 at her son’s home in Sioux Falls, having reached the age of 100 years, 6 months, and 2 days.  Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am on Thursday, February 1st at Christ Lutheran Church in Salem.  Burial will be at the Spencer Cemetery and a luncheon will follow at the hall in Spencer.  Visitation will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 pm with a 7:30 pm prayer service at Kinzley Funeral Home in Salem.

Lila M. Meek was born July 24, 1923 to Clyde and Minnie (Kunze) Meek in Walnut Grove, MN.  She graduated from Balaton High School.  Lila married Virgil Bailey on March 18, 1942 in Mitchell, SD.  They lived in the Spencer area and upon retiring from farming in 1978, moved into Spencer.  Virgil passed away on December 7, 1992.  In 2002, Lila moved to Sioux Falls.  She had worked at Raven’s for 8 ½ years.

Lila was a member of St. Mathew’s Lutheran Church in Spencer and served on the church council until the Spencer tornado.  Lila was also active in Ladies Aid, VFW Auxiliary, Legion Auxiliary, and DVA Auxiliary.  She loved doing jigsaw puzzles, sewing, crocheting, and making quilts.  She made a quilt for each of her grandkids.  All of her extended family had a favorite dish she cooked, and she was famous for her bread and buns.  Lila had a collection of Strawberry Shortcake dolls and many other showcase dolls.

Lila is survived by:  her children, Roger (Sharon) Bailey of Denison, IA, Randy (Judy) Bailey of McCook Lake, SD, Colleen (Craig) Schroeder of Fulton, SD and Donald (Vicki) Bailey of Sioux Falls, SD; 12 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil, her parents, her sisters, Dorsie Lewis, infant sister, Evelyn Meek, Helen Weeks, and Lois Reynolds, brothers, Donald Meek, Eugene Meek (at age 6) and Carroll Meek and great-grandchildren, Lila Schelter and Dylan Dean Bailey.