Obituary: Alice (Bailey) Oelhafen - Class of 1941

MADISON - Alice Oelhafen passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. She left this planet to join her Heavenly Father, Precious Jesus and Our Divine Spirit, where she will also have a grand reunion with her loved ones who preceded her in death, especially her beloved husband, Earl. Alice led a very busy, happy life, often commenting that her Heavenly Father had been very good to her and she was most grateful.

Her life began in Madison, on Dec. 16, 1923, the fourth of five children born to her parents, John and Mabel Bailey, who owned and operated a successful family business, which became a family undertaking during the children's formative years. Upon graduating from Central High School, Alice later enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a degree in institutional corrections. For six years, she was a probation and parole agent in Milwaukee, leaving to return to UW-Madison to earn a master's degree in social work.

Following graduation, Alice married Earl L. Oelhafen in a garden wedding at Lake Windsor, living in Madison for two years. From there, they moved to Rockford, Ill., for new employment. After graduation, Alice held various social work positions, retiring in 1984 from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. For the next two years, she started two private businesses, as a partner in both ventures.

Alice and Earl loved their Rockford home, enjoying many friendships there. They also made many wonderful friendships in Hawaii, where they wintered/vacationed for many years. They especially liked their beloved Maui. The couple was very grateful for their 41 years of marriage, traveling far and wide.

Alice enjoyed reading, playing bridge, and church projects. She was so saddened by the death of her dear husband on Nov. 26, 2003, after a several-month illness. They looked forward to being reunited with their loved ones in God's divine circle of love, at God's appointed time.

Alice is survived by her sister-in-law, Sylvia Bailey; and nieces and nephews, Arden Sandow of Madison, Arlyn Sandow of Madison, Patricia Huff of Minnesota, Christine Cole of Pennsylvania, Robert (Kathy) Huff of Madison, William (Kathleen) Voeck of Colorado, Richard (Kathy) Voeck of Colorado, John (Julie) Bailey of Madison, Jerry (Ann) Bailey of Cross Plains, Judy (Jim) Vallier of New Mexico, and Karen (Kevin) Anderson of Iowa.

She was also preceded in death by her four siblings, Janet Huff, Cele (James) Grady, John L. Bailey and Dorothy (Harvey) Cole.

Memorial services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2010. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Rockford, Ill.; or Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 16, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968).

Note: Alice Bailey's class year is based on a list of Central High School graduates published in The Capital Times on June 13, 1941.