Alma Ida Bailey was a social person with a love for life, youthful spirit, and an infectious laugh. Her friends describe her as an inspiration, always friendly, and always cheerful. Throughout her life she demonstrated determination and resilience.
Alma was born on a farm south of Brule, Nebraska to Fred and Therese (Armknecht) Schuessler, on August 11, 1927. She lived various places in Nebraska during her life before dying on Monday, September 7, 2026 in Omaha, Nebraska. She was 99 years old.
Alma attended country school through eighth grade, and graduated from Ogallala High School. She was the only person in her family to continue her education past the eighth grade, and received her Bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College.
Alma married Henry Bailey in 1948, and they farmed near Grant, Nebraska. They had two children, Lee and Dallas. After a divorce, Alma and her two young children moved in with a relative, Mrs. Mary Bailey. Mary stayed with Alma’s young family as the children grew to adulthood.
Alma knew the importance of education. She started teaching in country schools in western Nebraska, then moved to York and taught in York Elementary Schools. She later taught in preschool/day care at Hearthstone in York, for a total of 50 years before finally retiring when she was 75 years old. During summers she taught summer school, took school census, and took continuing education classes.
Alma became a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Alpha Delta Kappa, honorary teacher’s organizations. She retained her memberships for the rest of her life. She was also a member of York Business Women.
After retirement she stayed involved with her community through the Methodist Church and many local organizations and activities. She loved traveling with the York Fun Club through most of the United States and internationally. Alma believed in physical exercise, which she continued in various forms all her life. She joined the Shirts and Skirts square dance club and enjoyed 40 years of movement and fun. She also spent many years attending activities at the York Area Senior Center. Her favorite activity was playing pinochle cards.
Alma was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Iola Underwood and Edna Johnson, brothers Carl and Emil Schuessler, and Mary Bailey. Alma was the last member of her generation.
Alma is survived by son Lee Bailey of Fountain City, Wisconsin, daughter Dallas (Gordon) Wellensiek of Omaha, grandsons Tyler (Chad) Wellensiek of Brisbane, Australia, Brian (Sara) Wellensiek and their sons Andrew, Eli, and Owen of Phoenix, Arizona.
Alma touched many people’s lives. She will be missed.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 2026 at York’s First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in York. Visitation will be held at the church, from 1-1:45 p.m., Saturday, prior to the funeral service. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. Condolences may be left for the family at metzmortuary.com. Metz Mortuary in York is handling the arrangements.