Gayle Bailey

A memorial service for Gayle Bailey was held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Burke, SD with Allie Stangle officiating.

Music was provided by Twylah Ward. Sonya Fernau and Brenda Sangster were in charge of registration and flower attendants were the Rosebud Quilt Guild.

Interment was in the Herrick Cemetery in Herrick, SD. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Gayle Mane Bailey was born on March 4, 1946, to Elvin and Tracy (Janousek) Bailey at their home north of Bonesteel, SD. Gayle grew up at this home with his 14 siblings.

Gayle attended Bonesteel Public School, graduating in 1964. In 1967 Gayle married Harriet Rasmussen. Three children were born to this union, Jennifer, Melissa and Christopher.

As a young teenager, Gayle started working at the Mulehead Ranch and remained there until he was 21. After they married, Gayle and Harriet moved to Wisconsin where he worked for Hi Line Construction. Ranch life and South Dakota living called them back in 1970 and Gayle went to work for his brother Eben. Soon after, Gayle went into the cattle business for himself on the Rasmussen Ranch north of St. Charles. He took great pride in his cattle. Due to health issues, Gayle retired from cattle ranching in 2004 but continued harvesting and selling hay until 2019.

Gayle enjoyed life, trapping in the 1970’s and 1980’s, Racehorse Pitch at Tech’s Station, rolling dice at Bernie’s Inn, deer hunting, and fishing, whether it be in Bernie’s boat, ice fishing, or shore fishing at Whetstone Bay.

His siblings were very important to Gayle, and he never missed an opportunity to gather with them. He took great joy in his grandchildren, taking them for 4-wheeler rides, deer hunting, fishing, and numerous games of 31.

He passed away at home north of St. Charles on December 13, 2023, after a lengthy illness.

Gayle is survived by his wife Harriet; children Jennifer Bailey, Melissa (Randy) Witkop, and Christopher (Karla) Bailey; grandchildren Elijah Everette Bailey, Ashlyn, Abigail, and Kaitlyn Bailey, Jackson and Max Wartenbee and Ryne Witkop; siblings Eben (Patty) Bailey, Ruth (Gary) Lundberg, Earl (Tootie) Bailey, Leah (Roy) England, Sherrill Kinzie, Fred (Marilyn) Bailey and Don (Gay) Bailey; sister-in-laws Karen Bailey and Margaret Ann Bailey; brother-in-law Eldon Nolan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gayle was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Mary Ballard, Judy Nolan, Dorothy Ferguson, Nola Nolan, Elizabeth Hoffman, Marvin, and Rich Bailey; in-laws Harry and Helen Rasmussen, Shirley Kruse, and Sharon Koberstein.