Marilyn Marie (nee Nordine) Bailey

WAUSAU, Wis. — Marilyn Marie (nee Nordine) Bailey, 72, of Ewen, Mich., died unexpectedly Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, surrounded by her family.

Marilyn was born on July 25, 1944, in Stambaugh, Mich., to John “Jack” and Viola (nee Heikkala) Nordine of Kenton. The family later moved to Bergland, Mich. Marilyn was joined in marriage to Russ Bailey on Aug. 21, 1965, in Bergland. She graduated from Bergland High School and then attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich., graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1966.

Marilyn taught at the White Pine School District and the Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated School District, in addition to years spent at home in Ewen rearing the couple’s four children.

She loved quilting with the ecumenical quilters at First Lutheran Church, crocheting snowflakes for friends and family, chairing the McMillan Township Library Board, riding her four-wheeler through the woods with Russ, and most of all spending time at camp with her family.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Russ; four children, Gretchen (Ron) Cipriano, Spring Valley, Wis., Jason Bailey, Paynesville, Mich., Trisha (Troy) Smith, Ishpeming, Mich., and Allison (OJ) Bottoms, Hibbing, Minn .; and 11 grandchildren, Patrick, Tessa, Danny, Kate and Parker Cipriano, Hannah, Hailey and Hunter Smith, and Jack, Bailey and Sam Bottoms. She is also survived by her brother, Russel (Faye) Nordine, Bergland; two sisters, Marian Kalember, Coopersville, Mich., and Kathy Nordine, Denver; her sister-in-law, Mary Nordine, Trout Creek, Mich .; her brother-in-law, Carl Bailey, Bergland; as well as nieces and nephews.

Preceding Marilyn in death were her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Avis Bailey; her brother, Rodger Nordine; two brothers-in-law, Neil Kalember and Dick Bailey; and her sister-in-law, Muriel Bailey.

In accordance with Marilyn’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held Monday, March 6, at 11 a.m. EST, preceded by visitation at 9 a.m. EST, at First Lutheran Church in Ewen, with the Rev. Kay Richter officiating.

A luncheon will be served at the church fellowship hall following the service.

Marilyn’s family would like to thank the community members who helped Marilyn after her fall on the ice, the SONCO Ambulance crew and the doctors and staff at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital and Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Jerald Rocco of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Mich., is assisting the family. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.