Arline Nora (Yager) Bailey

Arline

Arline Nora Bailey, age 98, died peacefully in her sleep at home on April 2, 2021 heading home to Jesus and her loved ones that went before her. She was born in Montrose, Minnesota on February 20, 1923 and was preceded in death by husband, Arthur Bailey, son, W. David Bailey, grand-daughter, Stephanie Biermaier, parents, Nora Minnie and Gilbert Yager, sister, Orlean Yager, and brothers, Milford “Bud” Yager and Ronald Yager. She is survived by her daughters Nora (Larry) Mandile, Karen (Richard) Biermaier, and Jeri (Richard) Manley, daughter-in-law, Virginia Vogel, eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Marian Yager, Lila Yager, and many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

She grew up in Montrose, gaining a strong work ethic while working in her parents’ G.A. Yager grocery and butcher store. After graduating from Montrose High School as valedictorian of her class, she attended St. Cloud State teachers college in an accelerated teaching program. Upon graduation she obtained a teaching job in a one room school house near Montrose. She often drove her grandfather’s Model-T Ford to work. The next year she was accepted into an accelerated Engineering course at the University of Minnesota. Upon completing the program, she accepted a position in Dayton, Ohio where she invented a “tube tester” tester.

A veteran of WWII, Arline was proud to have served in the Waves from June 28, 1945 through April 17, 1946. One of her memorable assignments was training Navy men how to drop bombs through simulation exercises. Her deep patriotism drew her to enlist in the service and stayed with her throughout her life. An avid lover of history she read many books about WWII, it’s generals, the wars which molded our nation, and the presidents of the United States.

She met her future husband, Art, while attending the University of Minnesota. One favorite story was how he sent her a doll from France while serving in the Army there during WWII. They were married March 30, 1946 living briefly in Michigan, 41 years in Minnesota, raising their family in Elk River, Minnesota and eventually retiring to Lillian, Alabama in 1988. During her time in Elk River, Arline was a substitute teacher, continued her education at the University of Minnesota obtaining a BS degree in Home Economics subsequently teaching in the Elk River school district. While in Lillian, she enjoyed walks with friends on the beach, volunteering at the local food shelter and at her church, also helping teach immigrants English as a second language. She organized a Minnesota group which met for monthly dinners and also gathered together fellow Waves to attend Veteran’s meetings in Pensacola, Florida. She and Art enjoyed driving their motor home back to Minnesota in the summers to visit family. Arline continued living in Lillian for eleven years after Art passed away, then moved to Aiken, South Carolina near her daughter, Jeri, for three years. In 2015 she moved to Eagan, Minnesota near her other two daughters, Nora and Karen, where she lived out her remaining years. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. There will be a private graveside memorial service for the family at Cassel Cemetery, Delano, Minnesota, August 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

memorial service

There will be a private graveside memorial service for the family at

Cassel Cemetery, Delano, Minnesota on August 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services