April 4, 1947 ~ December 9, 2021
Steven William “Steve” Bailey, 74 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. Steve was born on April 4, 1947, in McCook, Nebraska, the second of five children, born to Floyd William and Helen Blanche (Stewart) Bailey. He started his education from Palisade Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1965. Steve pursued higher education from Chadron State College.
On May 17, 1968, Steve was united in marriage to Connie K. Buhler in Trenton, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Pawnee City, Nebraska, where Steve began working at the People’s Natural Gas Company (later becoming Northern Gas Company) for 10 years. Steve would then go on to own and operate his own plumbing and heating business in Pawnee City. The family moved to Holdrege in 1984, where Steve began working for the City of Holdrege and then began his employment with Ed’s Electric & Plumbing for 26 years, retiring in 2013. Never one to slow down, Steve worked for Holdrege Housing Authority for two years, fully retiring in 2015.
God blessed this union with three children: Troy, Tracie, and Tiffanie. Steve enjoyed wood working; making crafts; creating stain glass; gardening; and was a Square Dance Caller for over 20 years, also teaching Square Dancing and Round Dancing. Most of all, Steve enjoyed attending and photographing all of his grandchildren’s activities and events.
Steve was a member of the Methodist church in Palisade, Nebraska; and while living in Pawnee City, Nebraska, he was a member of Rotary, the fire department, was an EMT, and City Council member.
Due to failing health, Steve began to make his home at Christian Homes Care Community in 2019, where he was fortunate to be cared for by his daughter and granddaughters.
Steve was preceded in death by his son, Troy Bailey on September 11, 2020; his parents: Floyd and Helen Bailey; one brother, Thomas Walter Bailey; his grandparents: Leslie and Nella Bailey; and Arthur and Nell Stewart; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Lloyd and Amy Buhler; and three brothersin-law: Ray Lubben; Larry Buhler; and Darrel “Dean” Buhler.
Steve is survived by his wife, Connie Bailey of Holdrege; two daughters: Tracie Ludeke and her husband, Brad; and Tiffanie Bryant and her husband, Coby, all of Holdrege; seven grandchildren: Rachel (Bailey) Smith and her husband, Wade of Lincoln; Kelsie (Ludeke) Gardels and her husband, Thomas of Wilcox; Taylor Bailey of Grand Island, Nebraska; Lexie Ludeke of Holdrege; Trevor Bailey of Lincoln; Baylie (Bryant) Skow and her husband, Max of Holdrege; and Hannah Bryant of Holdrege; three great-grandchildren: Beau and Brooks Smith; and Griffin Gardels; one sister, Catherine L. Lubben of McCook, Nebraska; two brothers: Jonathan Bailey and his wife, Joyce of Pawnee City, Nebraska; and Phillip Bailey and his wife, Sandy of Palisade; three sisters-in-law: Jan Bailey Hinrichsen of Elm Creek, Nebraska; Sharon Buhler of Frederick, Colorado; and Cathy Buhler of Loveland, Colorado; one brother-in-law, Richard Buhler of Atwood, Kansas; along with many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
There will be no visitation, viewing, or memorial book signing. The family has chosen cremation.
A memorial has been established in Steve’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
A Memorial Service for Steve Bailey was held on Monday, December 13, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Daren Popple officiating. Inurnment will followed at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.
The funeral service was live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622