Karla Kay Bailey
May 12, 1947 ~ July 6, 2024
Karla Bailey, 77, of Charleston, Illinois, died early Saturday morning, July 6, 2024, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, Illinois. Karla was formally from Bellevue, Nebraska where she lived for many years with her husband John Bailey of 32 years. Prior to moving to Bellevue, Karla lived in Atlantic, Iowa for many years with her first husband Aden Tamerius and their only daughter Tonya.
Karla was born on May 12, 1947, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Carl Eilts and Laura Mary (Oler) Rathman. She grew up in Cumberland, Iowa and graduated from Cumberland and Massena Community School in 1965. Karla worked at Beaudine’s Lamp Shade Factory and later Gould Manufacturing while living in Atlantic. After her move to Bellevue, she worked at Airlite Plastics Company and retired in 2009.
Karla always enjoyed being around others and spent many Saturday afternoons while still in Atlantic playing cards with friends. Karla was also a very good cook and enjoyed baking many treats over the years. In retirement she spent time doing a lot of puzzle books and would offer to make flowers arrangements and cream cheese mints for weddings and special occasions for family and friends. Karla also had an eye for jigsaw puzzles and would spend hours putting puzzles together. She always looked forward to her trips to the family cabin in Wynot, Nebraska with her husband John as she loved to fish just like he does. Karla also loved spending time in Illinois visiting her daughter Tonya and son-in- law Rich and spending time with her three granddaughters Jessica, Nicole and Jayda. Karla and Tonya always spent time shopping together during these trips as well.
Karla will be greatly missed by her husband John Bailey, daughter Tonya Jensen (Rich); stepson James Bailey; many grandchildren; and great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents Carl and Laura Rathman; brother Duane Rathman; stepdaughter JoAnna Bailey.
Visitation: Thursday, July 11, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., followed by a
Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m., both at the Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel.
Interment: Bellevue Cemetery
2 Comments
Just an amazing, loving person.
Tonya and family – our sincerest condolences on the loss of this fine lady. We not only grew up with only one house between us in Cumberland, but with only 2 others our age to be our ‘family’ – and the 4 of us were! We played together, we biked together, skated together, went sledding together and shared on of the best lives ever! She was always “KK” to us and even in the past few months, I have tried to stay in touch with her as Doug had encouraged. What wonderful memories of the 4 of us – on Adams Street – treasured memories for sure. Sending prayers and love D, Kenney and families.
Add Comment