Leila M. Bailie

Leila M. Bailie, age 80, of Lancaster died Sunday, January 18, 2009 at the Lancaster Care Center. She was born on February 27, 1928, the daughter of Orville and Ethel (Fosbinder) Needham near Preston, WI. Leila was the fifth of eight children which included, Ida, Clarence, Harold, Elmer, Lois, Geraldine and Larry. As a child, she helped on the family farm, played softball and attended country school. Leila enjoyed going to her Grandma and Grandpa Fosbinders house to spend the night and visit her cousins. She graduated from Fennimore High School and worked for a year at Dodgeville Hospital, doing the laundry, cleaning and cooking.

Leila married Elmer Baile on November 3, 1949 in Dubuque, Iowa. They farmed and raised two children, LaVon and Bruce. She also had three grandchildren, Sharie, Tyler and Jade Allen and two great-grandchildren, Mason Aide and Kingston Clayton.

Leila raised a big garden every year. She painted farm buildings, baled hay and built fences. She had lived on the farm for 60 years. Leila especially enjoyed holidays, birthdays and graduations with her children and grandchildren. She would also liked to attend cross country events for Sharie and Tyler.

Leila is survived by her two children: Bruce Bailie, Lancaster and LaVon (Rod) Allen, Livingston; three grandchildren, Sharie, Tyler and Jade; two great-grandchildren, Mason and Kingston; two brothers, Harold Needham, Fennimore and Larry Needham, New Mexico; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer in 1998; three sisters, Ida, Lois and Geraldine; two brothers, Clarence and Elmer.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2009, at the Martin Funeral Home in Lancaster with Reverend Barbara Cook officiating. Burial was in Bloomington Cemetery, Bloomington. Family and friends were welcomed from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services Thursday all at the funeral home.