Lillian R. Bailey

Lillian R. Bailey, 95-year-old resident of Little Falls, passed away Friday, July 1, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls. Funeral services for Lillian will be held Saturday, July 9, at 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls with Rev. Robert Frank officiating. If possible, please wear some shade of purple in her honor. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 5-7 PM at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls and one hour prior to the service at Zion Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Lillian was born February 27, 1916, in Worthington, MN, the daughter of the late Frederick & Clara (Hanefeld) Leistico. She grew up in Worthington & graduated from Worthington High School. Lillian was united in marriage to Ralo W. Bailey in Minneapolis, MN, September 1, 1940. The couple moved to Little Falls in 1947. Lillian & Ralo were involved in many local activities in the community. In earlier years, she was a partner with Ralo in a retail marketing program. The couple danced for many years with the Lindy Square Dancers and Lillian enjoyed creating many dancing outfits. Later, they helped in the development and funding of the original and current Little Falls Senior Center. Lillian served on the Senior Center Board as secretary/treasurer for several years. She was also involved in starting the doughnut fundraiser, helped with the meals, and assisted with coordinating activities at the Center. Lillian enjoyed traveling. After her husband died, she organized several senior bus trips. Lillian received a number of awards for her community service, including Outstanding Senior Citizen of Morrison County 1988. Lillian was an artist, working with oils, acrylics, and watercolors. She was also an accomplished seamstress and crafter and for many years decorated Zion Lutheran Church for Christmas and Easter. Her other interests were flower gardening, reading, playing Rummikub with friends, going on picnics, and Bible studies. Through the years, Lillian had developed a deep concern for widows in her church and the MCCL organization. Her great joy in life was watching her grandchildren grow to adulthood and delighting in her four great-grandchildren. Lillian is survived by her son Terrence (Jeanne) Bailey of St. Paul, MN; daughter Darlene (Robert) Moritz of Little Falls, MN; grandchildren Trina (Scott) Uttley, Joshua (Alina) Bailey, Noelle Moritz, and Ethan Moritz; great-grandchildren Evie and Ross Uttley and Oscar and Hugo Bailey; brother Albert Leistico of CA; sisters Mildred Markman of Lakefield, MN and Theora Saunders of IA. Lillian was preceded in death by her husband Ralo, parents, and ten brothers and sisters

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Lillian R. Bailey

February 27, 1916 - July 1, 2011