Marvin Elvin Bailey, age 82, of Sioux Falls passed away on February 1, 2016.
Marvin Elvin Bailey was born September 7, 1933 to Elvin and Tracy (Janousek) Bailey in their Bonesteel farmhouse. He was the third of 15 children.
On November 3, 1953, Marvin married Karen Gies. Together they had four children, Barbara, Doug, Cathy, and Bruce. In 1965, they purchased the Bailey homestead and Marvin fulfilled his passion of becoming a rancher. He took great pride in this work – sharing his love for it with his brothers, sons and grandsons. He was often heard referring to the area where he lived as being God's country. In 1980, he made the homestead their own by building, with the help of his father-in-law, Jake Gies, a new home. This Bonesteel ranch became the home and meeting place for many family and friends. In 1995, Marvin's health forced him to sell his livestock and semi-retire from ranching. For many years following, he assisted his brother in the fields and working cattle.
Shortly following their 50th wedding anniversary, Marvin had a stroke on Christmas Eve 2003. No longer able to communicate, Marvin became dependent on those who knew him best to translate, the few words he spoke, for him – to which we became pretty good at. We knew by where he pointed if he was talking about Whetstone, Wheeler or Scalp Creek. His eyes beamed when you guessed correctly and he would say, "Yeah…Yeah…Yeah", with a smile on his face.
Despite not being able to communicate, he always wanted to be included and on-the-go. He played cards. (We all knew that his three-bid didn't necessarily mean he bid three, his fingers told the truth.) He shuffled to his kids and grandkids houses for gatherings and attended great-grandkid's sporting events. It was evident he was proud of his family.
In October 2014, Marvin left his Bonesteel homestead for a Sioux Falls home where he resided and surrounded himself with family.
Marvin was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Kienast; parents, Elvin & Tracy; two sisters and five brother-in-laws. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Karen Bailey; sons, Doug and Bruce; daughter, Cathy (Gary) Sherman; brothers and sisters, Judy (Dale) Nolan, Dorothy Ferguson, Nola (Elden) Nolan, Eben (Patty) Bailey, Richard (Margaret Ann) Bailey, Ruth (Gary) Lundberg, Gayle (Harriet) Bailey, Earl (Tootie) Bailey, Leah (Roy) England, Sherrill Kinzie, Fred (Marilyn) Bailey, and Donny (Gay) Bailey; 12 grandkids; 32 great-grandkids; two great-great grandkids; and many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 1:00 PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Fairfax. There will be a prayer service on Friday at 7:00 PM at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the church.