Noel C. Bailey

Noel C. Bailey, 82 of Aitkin died peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 after a long, hard fought battle with cancer.  He was born December 9, 1941 in Aitkin the son of Clarence Joseph and Olga Marie (Holm) Bailey.  He grew up in Aitkin and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1959.  He attended Bemidji State University from 1959 to 1963 to play football and wrestle. He eventually earned a Masters Degree in Education.  Noel was united in marriage to Patricia Hill on August 3, 1963.  Patricia passed away in 1992.  Noel married Alma (Laidlaw) Roden on July 24, 1993.  Alma passed away in 2020.  Noel began his teaching and coaching career at Sauk Rapids High School from 1963 to 1972.  He and his wife Patricia returned home to Aitkin to operate Hills Drive Inn from 1972 to 1975.  In 1973 he decided to return to teaching and coaching at Aitkin High School.  He retired from teaching in 1996 and  has not coached  since 1995, but was still very involved in the wrestling program and was their #1 fan .  He was always beside the mat, cheering on the wrestlers that he loved so dearly. 

After retirement he worked as a bailiff for Aitkin County and served on the Aitkin School Board.  He enjoyed traveling the world with wife Alma where they were able to visit 49 of the 50 United States and found a favorite winter get-away in St. Simons Island, Georgia, He also enjoyed woodworking, exercise, sports, yard work, riding motor cycles, going to the legion on Tuesday’s for “hamburger night”, monthly lunch meetings with his friends from the class of 1959 and “Happy Hour” with friends on Friday.  He was a member of 4 halls of fame: The Bemidji State University Athletic Hall of Fame, The Minnesota Coaches Hall of Fame, The Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame and The National Wrestling Hall of Fame.   He was also a member of the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association, Riverwood Auxiliary and the Aitkin United Methodist Church where he enjoyed singing.  Recently he was named “Aitkin Person Of The Year” and had the honor of having one of the gymnasiums at Aitkin High School named after him.  The same gym that he started wrestling in as a youth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives: Patricia and Alma, sister Edith Casselius and brother Bryan Bailey.  Being with his family was what Noel loved the most. He is survived by his children: Lance (Jeni) Bailey of Shakopee and Dawn (Angelo Ramirez) Bailey of Cheyenne, WY.; step-children: Todd Roden, Terry (Cindy) Roden and Becky Roden; 10 grandchildren: Nick, Noelle, Netanya, Nathan, Donald, Danny, Evanlee, Geordan, Bailey and Amaris; 2 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Christine Bailey; close friends Dan and Karen Stifter; his loyal, devoted dog Remy; and many other special relatives and friends who mourn his passing.

A celebration of life will be10:00am – Saturday, April 20, 2024 in the Noel Bailey Gymnasium at Aitkin High School in Aitkin.  Pastor Dawn Houser will be the officiant.  Visitation will be 4pm to 7pm Friday at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin and will continue 1 hour prior to the service in the gym on Saturday.  The family would like everyone to dress in your red and black “Gobbler Gear” for the celebration.  To leave a message of condolence go to www.srtfuneral.com

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