Charles Nesbitt Bailey

Charles Nesbitt 'Nebb' Bailey, 82, died Sept. 14, 2005, at Lake View Care Center in Bigfork. He was born Jan. 21, 1923, in Chehalis, Wash., son of Charles Nathan and Myrtle (Hamilton) Bailey. He received most of his education in Great Falls where he graduated from the eighth grade in 1938. He moved with his family to the West Valley area of Flathead Valley in 1938. Because he didn't own a car he often walked or hitchhiked the 11 miles to Kalispell. He was active in 4-H and won a trip to Chicago. He later was active in the Kalispell Jaycees and was in charge of weighing fish at the annual fishing derby for over 17 years. He also was an active member of the Elks Club. For many years after the death of his father he took care of his mother.

At the age of 55 he was married for the first time to Lillian Ramsfield whom he met while working at the Snow Line Tree Co. After their marriage they lived in the Ferndale area. Nebb retired from Columbia Falls Aluminum Company after 24 years of employment. He enjoyed traveling and spent vacations visiting friends and relatives in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho, Texas and California. He and Lillian also went to Hawaii three times and to Alaska once. There were only three or four states that Nebb had not visited. He also had a lot of hobbies, including working with metal and wood. While working for Snow Line he learned how to make beautiful Christmas corsages, making and giving away as many as 70 in one year.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian of Ferndale; two step-daughters, Beverly and husband Dennis Ostroot of Ferndale, and Carolyn and her husband Bryce Abel of Security, Colo.; one step-son, Ron Ramsfield of Bozeman; one sister, Hope Evans and a nephew Terry Evans, both of Kamiah, Idaho, a nephew, John Evans of Fort Worth, Texas; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and several cousins.

Graveside services were Monday at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery followed by a memorial service conducted by the Rev. Jack Shannon at Bethany Lutheran Church.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer's Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD. 20871, or Bethany Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 398, Bigfork, MT 59911.

Bigfork Funeral Home is caring for the family.