Funeral services for Earl R. Bailey, 76, of Presho, SD will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Presho, SD with burial in the Holy Angels Catholic Cemetery at Presho, SD.  Visitation will begin Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. scripture service at Christ The King Catholic Church in Presho, SD.

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Earl Raymond Bailey was born May 8, 1948, to Elvin and Tracy (Janousek) Bailey and grew up with his 14 siblings at the family home north of Bonesteel. He passed away at Sanford Hospice peacefully on March 13, 2025.

Earl attended Bonesteel Public School graduating in 1966. In 1968 Earl married Gladys Goethals. Five Children were born to this union, Monty, Alan, Anna, Chasity, and Tara.

Earl started trucking after graduation which he was very proud of. He trucked until he retired in 2010. Out of boredom he returned to trucking for a local farmer for a few more years. Then to punish himself further he decided to become a school bus driver until he was called into the principal's office.

Earl met Tootie and they were married on February 12, 1993. They enjoyed fishing, traveling to see family, and going to the river.

Earl enjoyed everything outdoors from fishing, boating, hunting, riding his scooter, and of course the routine Bailey card and dice games. He loved being around family and friends. He loved spending time with his sidekick Hudson. He enjoyed cruising the countryside. He loved going back to Bonesteel to see family and go to the river for some good fishing. On a nice sunny day you would find him sitting outside listening to music drinking a nice cold one.

Earl is survived by his wife Tootie, children/stepchildren Monty Bailey, Anna (Bob) Polacek, Chasity Bailey, Tara Bailey, Trever Mortenson, Kenda Mortenson, and Lance Mortenson. Grandchildren Ryan Bailey (Amanda), Ashley Whaley, Brianna Bailey, Jodi Polacek, Askia McChristian, Victor Polacek, Kayla Borucki, Gaige Mortenson, Cade Mortenson, Levi, Jacob, Lanny and Justyn Langenbau, Ashley, Wyatt, and Karsen Mortenson.  15 Great Grandchildren. His siblings Eben Bailey, Ruth (Gary) Lundberg, Leah (Roy) England, Sherrill Kinzie, Fred (Marilyn) Bailey and Don (Gay) Bailey. Sister-in-laws Karen Bailey, Margaret Ann Bailey, Charlene Nies, Deanna Sundall, Harriet Bailey and numerous nieces and nephews.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, his children Alan Bailey and Crystal Mortenson, his siblings Mary Ballard, Judy Nolan, Dorothy Ferguson, Nola (Eldon) Nolan, Elizabeth (Ronald) Hoffman, Marvin Bailey, Rich Bailey, and Gayle Bailey. Sister-in law Patricia Louise Bailey, Mary Whipple, and Charlotte Mortenson. Brother-in-law Jack Leichtnam.