Bonnie Bailey, 93, of Oskaloosa, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.
Bonnie Ruth Bailey, daughter of Gerrit and Avis (Van Houweling) Van Zomeren, was born December 6, 1932, at her parents’ rural home in Leighton, Iowa. It was a busy, loving home with high expectations for the children. Bonnie started country school at age four and loved learning. At age six, she began taking piano lessons; she excelled and loved playing. In junior high, Bonnie soon accompanied groups at school and church and began giving lessons to neighborhood children. Bonnie graduated from Pella High School and attended Central College and graduated from William Penn College with a bachelor’s degree in education.
Bonnie married Kenneth Bailey on June 14, 1952, at her parents’ home in Leighton. Ken’s work with Ideal Ready Mix first took them to Sigourney, then to Oskaloosa, and finally, in 1962, the family moved to Bailey Acres east of Oskaloosa. While raising their three children, Bonnie stayed busy as a substitute teacher in the Oskaloosa school system, a 4-H leader for the Black Oak Club and the Scott’s Strivers Club, a Sunday school teacher, and a Head Start instructor. She also shared her love of music by teaching piano to many children, including her own children and later her grandchildren.
Bonnie embarked on a real estate career in the mid-80s and opened Better Homes & Gardens Realty in the early 90s, serving as a broker/realtor. She later worked at Gatton Realty and retired in her 70s.
Bonnie made her Profession of Faith at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton, and after she and Ken married, they attended the Oskaloosa Nazarene Church. She later enjoyed worship at the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa. She was a member of the P.E.O. Chapter X for almost 45 years, where she served as President and in many other positions. She will be fondly remembered for her generosity in hosting meetings, providing food, and especially her creativity. She enjoyed meeting friends for lunch at Hunters Café and was a member of the Red Hat Ladies. Bonnie made friends easily, and her winter retreat in Mesa gave her a wonderful opportunity to expand her circle of friends. While wintering at Carriage Manor in Mesa, Arizona, she was part of a writers’ group, the book club, and the kitchen band. Bonnie’s family will always treasure one of her final projects in the writers’ group, a compilation of her life memories: “Then and Now: My Meanderings.” Bonnie had also written a children’s book, “The Banty Rooster”, possibly based on experiences from her early years on their Leighton farm. The artwork for the book is being finalized, and it will be published in 2027.
In her younger years, Bonnie was an accomplished seamstress who sewed many items for her daughters. She inherited her mother’s love of gardening, especially flowers. Every Sunday her mother placed a fresh garden bouquet on the table, and Bonnie also loved brightening her home with flowers from her own vibrant and well-kept garden. Traveling near and far was a favorite hobby; Bonnie took many trips with Ken and their friends. She also treated her children and grandchildren to many exciting adventures.
Bonnie will be remembered for many things, but her children and grandchildren will especially remember that she was their biggest fan. She was a fiercely loyal “Grandma Bear” but she was also warm and made the world’s best chocolate chip cookies. Bonnie loved sports and played tennis well for many years. She rarely missed an Oskaloosa Indians, Iowa Hawkeyes, or Indiana Fever game. Her children remember her as a great problem solver with a can-do attitude and an always-positive outlook.
Bonnie’s family includes her children: Carolyn (Charles) Smoot of Marion, IL, Greg (Sandy) Bailey) of Oskaloosa, and Cathy (Larry) Hudson of Centerville, IA; eight grandchildren: Britt Meininger, Michelle Smoot, Morgan (Brady) Burford, Kaylee (Kelly) O’Rourke, Mitch Smoot (Jennifer), Mike Smoot (Lori), Tom (Tanya) Hudson, Brooke (Clayton) Welsh; seven great-grandchildren: Iain Meininger, Jaxson Woods, Montana and Tobias Burford, Koy, Kolyns, and Kyndal O’Rouke, Nick Smoot, Logan Smoot (Sam), Landon Robinson, Gabe Smoot, Avree Robinson, Payton and Jaden Smoot, Aaron, Oakley, and Evelyn Hudson, Emery, Gabrielle, Madelyn, and Olivia Welsh; one great-great-grandchild: Bennie Smoot; and many nieces and nephews. Bonnie is also survived by her siblings: Janice Beran of Ames, Darlene Wallinga of Pella, Dick (Joanne) Van Zomeren of Mason City, Mary Van Zomeren of San Rafael, CA, and Mark (Renae) Van Zomeren of Leighton. Her special caregivers, Aideen Vega-Van Auken, Tika Nicodemus, and Chris Krile, will also miss her dearly.
In addition to her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by Ken on May 4, 2002; her father and mother-in-law, Clarence and Esther Bailey; a granddaughter, Abbey Layne Bailey; brothers-in-law, George Beran, Robert Wallinga, and Don Bailey; a sister-in-law, Shirley Bailey; and a nephew, Charles Bailey.
Funeral services for Bonnie will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Amy McGriff officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin after noon on Friday at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 4-6 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Mahaska Health Foundation for the Hospice Serenity House https://www.mahaskahealth.org/hospice-serenity-house/ or the First Presbyterian Church for the Organ Fund at 405 High Ave East PO Box 14, Oskaloosa, IA 52577.
