Rev. Harold O. Bailey

Rev. Harold O. Bailey, 85 died Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Good Samaritan Luther Manor, Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be at 10:30am Monday, February 9, 2009 at Hope Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls with burial in West Palisades Lutheran Cemetery, rural Garretson, SD. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm Sunday at Heritage Funeral Home with the family present from 5-7:00pm with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm Sunday evening. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice. Harold Odean Bailey was born on September 27,1923 at Brandon, SD to Austin and Anna (Rollag)Bailey. He was baptized into the Christian faith at Palisade Lutheran Church and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson, SD. After graduating from Augustana Academy in Canton, SD he farmed with his parents until their retirement. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. During his freshman year at Augustana College he was led back to a living relationship with Christ. The Lord especially used Rev. Emil Erpestad to help Harold return to faith. After his sophomore year, he attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN. While there he sensed more than ever God’s call into the ministry. Upon graduating from Augustana College in 1952 he enrolled at Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN. On May 27, 1952 he was united in marriage to Vivian J. Scholin. They served a year of internship in the Chester-Joplin Parish in Montana. Following Ordination in June of 1956 Harold served as pastor to the following congregations; Beaver Creek-Springdale at Harrisburg, SD, Faith Lutheran in Rapid City, SD, Langford-Falnes in Langford, SD, Leganger-Wood Lake in Toronto, SD, and Baltic-East Nidaros in Baltic, SD. He served on the Latin American Lutheran Mission Board for several years and 2 years as their public relations representative. Her served as Chaplain at Good Samaritan Luther Manor for four years and as visitation pastor for Hope Lutheran Church for 10 years. His wife Vivian died in April of 1989. In August of 1991 he was united in marriage to Audrae (Stoddard Almond) Arntz at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Audrae; children Barb (Ralph) Stohlmann, Plattsmouth,NE, and Paul (Paulette) Bailey, Red Wing, MN; step-sons, Steve (Bonnie) Almond, Fargo, MN, Roger (Peggy) Almond, Lennox, SD, Jeff Almond, Indianapolis, IN and Greg (Elaine) Almond, Harvard, NE; 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Adeline Nelson, Sioux Falls; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Vivian, brother-in-law Ralph Nelson, and 2 step grandsons.