Elaine Bailey, 91

March 16, 1923 - August 14, 2014

Elaine Bailey, 91, of Coeur d'Alene, died Aug. 14, 2014, of complications resulting from Alzheimer's.

Elaine was born in 1923 in Como, Mont., and grew up in Darby, Mont. She attended the University of Montana and graduated in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She completed her nursing training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Elaine married Frank T. Bailey in 1944. During their 36-year marriage, Elaine and Frank lived in more than a dozen locations across Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Georgia, pursuing Frank's career with the U.S. Forest Service. During that period, Elaine fostered 11 children and hosted exchange students from India, Korea and Japan. Frank and Elaine retired to North Idaho in 1973.

Elaine was an active member of the Coeur d'Alene Community United Methodist Church, and supported the work of the United Methodist Women (UMW), holding numerous positions with the organization. Each spring she was part of a UMW group that traveled to the Idaho General Assembly to lobby for issues supported by the church.

During the mid-1980s, Elaine returned to her nursing career as at Coeur d'Alene Homes, an assisted-living facility, as the Director of Nursing, a position she held for more than eight years.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, and her six sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her six children - Janet Bailey of Santa Fe, N.M., Dennis Bailey of Juneau, Alaska, Brad Bailey of Pulaski, Tenn., LuAnn Weyhrauch of Juneau, Alaska, Gregg Bailey of Post Falls, and Kevin Bailey of Orlando, Fla.; 11 grandchildren - Todd, Matthew, Benjamin, Maria, Barclay, Ryan, Corey, Shane, Franklin, Beth and Amy; and five great-grandchildren - Caroline, Will, Ryanne, Alexander and Leonardo.

A private graveside service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 19. A celebration of Elaine's life will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Coeur d'Alene Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Coeur d'Alene Homes. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Elaine's memorial and sign her online guest book at www,yatesfuneralhomes.com.