Rodney Paul Bailey

Rodney Paul Bailey passed away peacefully in Overland Park, Kansas, on April 12, 2025 at the age of 85. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Rod spent his life across the Midwest—living and working in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Kansas.

Born on March 18, 1940, in Racine, Minnesota, to Bert and Mary Bailey, Rod was the youngest of four children. He was preceded in death by his beloved sisters: Burdene Jacobson, Shirley Behnken, and Donna Whittaker.

He married Kathleen Mary Murphy on February 13, 1965, in Rochester, Minnesota. They moved to Iowa and eventually settled in Davenport where they raised three daughters. After 22 years, Rod and Kathy found their way to Menomonie, Wisconsin, where they spent the next 35 years as active members of the community. He spent 50+ years of his adult life as a salesman in the furniture industry, enjoyed working with his hands, and cultivated a vast tool collection as he knew how to fix just about anything.

While Rod worked hard at every endeavor in his life, his true passion was singing barbershop with his quartets, 7th Encounter (Davenport), and CHIPS (Menomonie). He also enjoyed his fishing trips with the guys, a love he developed while spending summers at the family-owned resorts, Paradise Point and Grandview Lodge in northern Minnesota.

Rod is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathy Bailey of Olathe, KS; his three daughters Kimberly (Scott) Falk of Montgomery, Texas, Renee (Brent) Christensen of Olathe, Kansas, Christine “Kit” (Tony) Baca of Annapolis, Maryland; his grandchildren Bailey (Bryan) Schardt of Olathe, Kansas, Kaitlyn (Colin) Krum of Alexandria, Virginia, Austin (Katie) Christensen of Kansas City, Missouri; and a great-grandson, Baby Krum, expected soon.

A memorial service is being planned for the near future in Menomonie, WI. Details will be shared when available

Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society by using the link below. 

To leave a special message for his family or to share a memory of Rod, please visit the guestbook below.