Janice "Jan" R. Bailey, age 74, of rural Erskine, MN passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014, in her home surrounded by her family.


Jan was born August 22, 1939, in Mahnomen County, and was the daughter of Agnes and Raymond A. Leslie. She graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1957 and moved to El Paso, TX shortly after. After marring David C. Wilson they had two children, Darla and David.

After the passing of Dave, Jan continued to work in the trust department of State National Bank where she met Joe Bailey. In 1973 they married. Shortly after, they welcomed twin daughters, Lori and Sharon. Jan spent the next fifteen years of her life committed to her family and friends. Through quiet action, she selflessly gave of herself to support the needs of her family, whom she held so dear.
Following the death of their daughter, Lori, they moved to Minnesota to be with their family and live out their "retirement years" on the lake. Jan spent the majority of her life taking pride and joy being the matriarch of the Bailey family. Dedicated to her family, Jan showed unconditional love, strength, and determination. With her passing, she leaves a hole that will never be filled. She will be greatly missed.

Jan is survived by her daughter, Darla (Fernando) Soto of McIntosh, MN, her son David (Becky) Wilson of Erskine, MN, and her youngest daughter, Sharon (Troy) Kreitinger of Byron, MN; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers: David (Elaine), Steve (Stella) and Richard Leslie; and one sister, Linda (Ron) Bjerk. She was preceded in death by her parents: Ray and Agnes; four brothers: Butch, Bob, John, Pat; one sister, Jeanette Rowe; two husbands: Dave and Joe; a daughter, Lori, and a great-grandson, Bailey.

A memorial service was held at 2:00pm on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen. A time of gathering took place one hour before the service at the church. Inurnment was in the Veterans Administration National Cemetery in Fort Bliss, TX