Kenneth "Ken" Bailly

Kenneth "Ken" Bailly, age 86, of Watertown, SD, passed away Friday, December 22, 2023, at Avantara Lake Norden in Lake Norden, SD.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023, at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown.  Pastor Laura Overbo will officiate.  Music will be provided by A.J. Sherrill as organist with Robbyn Givens as soloist.  The funeral service will be live-streamed on our website.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown from 5 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2023. 

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Ella Crofutt, Jayla Hochstatter, Iain Hochstatter, Isabelle Hochstatter, Elliot Norgaard, Laynie Norgaard, and the Vintique Car Club.  Active pallbearers will be Josh Crofutt, Lance Hochstatter, Justin Norgaard, Maison Cram, Caden Crofutt and Jax Cram.

Kenneth (Ken) Bailly was born on April 10, 1937, in Watertown, SD, to Willard “Bill” and Margaret (Moss) Bailly.  He attended school in Watertown, graduating in the class of 1955.  Ken went on to work for the National Foods grocery store for twenty years, Ken’s Fairway, and then for Terex Utilities in the FGI department for twenty-three years until his retirement in 2003.  Starting in the summer of 2004, Ken worked for the Watertown Park and Rec Department taking care of the parks and caring for the flowers until he completely retired in 2015.

On June 22, 1958, Ken married Joretta “Jo” Pierce at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD.  The couple made Watertown their home where they raised two children.

Ken belonged to the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Elks Lodge, Jean and Janes Square Dance Club, Promenaders Square Dance Club, and the Vintique Car Club in Watertown, SD.  He loved old cars and enjoyed restoring his red 1957 Ford pickup, where he enjoyed taking it to car shows with his grandson Justin and son-in-law David.  Ken liked wood working and always had a project he was working on. 

Ken and Jo enjoyed camping in their RV with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for 48 years.  They camped with their daughter Vicki and son-in-law David and family, enjoying many good times camping with friends and family.   He enjoyed his hobbies with Jo in crafting and attending craft shows for 15 years.

He loved his family and spending time with them as well as always ready to lend a helping hand to his children and grandchildren.  His great-grandchildren loved sitting on his lap reading stories and coloring.

Ken is survived by his one son, Randy (Deb) Bailly, Watertown, SD; one daughter, Vicki (David) Norgaard, Watertown, SD;  grandchildren, Tammy (Josh) Crofutt, Elkton, SD, Ryan Bailly, Watertown, SD, Heidi (Lance) Hochstatter, Watertown, SD, Justin (Samantha Hagen) Norgaard, Watertown, SD; great-grandchildren, Ella Crofutt, Elkton, SD, Caden Crofutt, Elkton, SD, Maison Cram, Watertown, SD, Jax Cram, Watertown, SD, Jayla Hochstatter, Watertown, SD, Iain Hochstatter, Watertown, SD, Isabelle Hochstatter, Watertown, SD, Elliot Norgaard, Watertown, SD, Laynie Norgaard, Watertown, SD; bonus grandchildren, Katie Kellen, Jamie Carlson, Genaro, Evelyn Riviera; bonus great-grandchildren, Alicia Riviera, Geneve Rivera, Josfer Rivera; one sister-in-law, Kaye Harriott; one brother-in-law, Kevin Pierce (Deb Larson); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Joretta; parents; grandparents; brother, Bob Bailly; sister-in-law, Mary Bailly

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