Linnea Margit Wesander Bailey

Mrs. Linnea Margit Wesander Bailey, loving wife, mother and grandmother, 92, of Salisbury, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Novant Health / Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House with her family present. She was born October 27, 1931, in Mass City, Michigan, to the late Nestor and Katrin Wesander. Linnea was a dedicated and active church member, involved in the past in Youth Groups at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Statesville, NC. She attended Holy Trinity for 50 plus years. Linnea taught at Bethel Lutheran Church Kindergarten from 1978 – 1989. One of her greatest joys was encountering a former student and discovering what they had become in their life’s journey. She received the Rowan County Literary Council Award for Extraordinary Volunteer Service in 2003. In 2006 she received the Friends of Rowan Public Library “Friend of the Year” Award. Being an avid reader made her an enthusiastic Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy viewer, often knowing the answers before the contestants did. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Clarence Bailey. Linnea met Clarence at Great Lakes Naval Station on a blind date, and it was “Love at First Sight”. From Great Lakes they moved to Norfolk, Virginia and then on to Louisiana, Maryland, and North Carolina. In Louisiana they first lived in the LSU student housing in the old WWII Quonset Huts. Linnea enjoyed travel and history, and when the family moved to Maryland in 1965, she made sure they all visited the many national monuments and museums, multiple times. When Clarence served his two weeks Active Reserve duty it became a family cross-country camping trip, staying at any and all National Parks along the way. Linnea also enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves with her family. Those left to cherish her memory are her son David and wife Karen, and their son, Dustin of Southport; her daughter Patti of Graham; and her son Steven of Salisbury. The family will receive friends from 11am to 12pm, Thursday December 21, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Statesville. The funeral service will follow at noon at the church, officiated by Pastor Lloyd Ginn. Burial will be Friday December 22 at 10am, at Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 465 Hartness Road, Statesville, NC 28677. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Bailey family. Online condolences may be left at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Linnea Margit Wesander Bailey

October 27, 1931 - December 17, 2023