Bailey Family Reunion

The Frank W. and Ethel Bailey Family Reunion was held July 18-21, 2024, at the Elkhorn Ridge Resort near Deadwood, S.D. Their sixth child, Quannah Bailey, of Chester, Mont., attended. Their youngest and seventh child, Jim, of Opheim, was unable to attend. The other five children are deceased, but 60 of Frank and Ethel's descendants from Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah and Wisconsin attended. The Reunion was hosted by Eva Bailey Siefert's family.

Thursday was the day of arriving with a no-host dinner held at the Beulah Steakhouse in Wyoming where early arrivals got to meet and visit about their travels and the upcoming weekend events.

Friday morning began with breakfast cooked by Wayne Siefert, Al McCormick and Jim Johnson. After breakfast families took in the local scene and went on a hike to Devil's Tower. Everyone gathered back at noon for a taco bar luncheon. In the afternoon some enjoyed the amenities at the resort, whether it was cooling off at the Pool or enjoying a game of Pickleball. Others were back at the resort hall participating in the Annual Cribbage Tournament. "The Traveling Cribbage Board" was passed on to the winners, Dave Bailey and Joe Nelson, by Shirley Siefert. The evening ended with a hamburger and hot dog feed.

Saturday morning began with a breakfast of biscuits and gravy followed by the Baley Golf Scramble.  There were 11 golfers in the scramble at the beautiful Elkridge Horn Golf course.  The 11 were divided into three teams who competed for the low score. Joe Nelson, Aiden Siefert, Jayson Nelson and Brittany Siefert came out on top with a tie breaker and the money pot. The Spirit Award went to Julie McLaughlin and Terri Day. 

After a sandwich lunch families went on a bus tour of Historic Downtown Deadwood and the Cemetery where they got to see Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane's gravesites. Everyone gathered back at the Elkhorn for the evening meal of steak, chicken and vegie Kabobs with sides and ending with "Nothing Bundt Cake Desserts"

They all enjoyed sharing stories and memories of the four family members who have died since the 2021 reunion.  Their names were added to the Memory Board. A donation in Donnie Bailey's name will be sent to the Montana Special Olympics from the Bailey Reunion. The Family Reunion Auction Sale concluded the events.  Funds from the sale go to pay expenses for the next reunion which will be hosted by Quannah Bailey's Family in Lewistown, Montana in the summer of 2027.

All meals were prepared by the Siefert families. Sunday morning saw everyone departing for their homes!