IRMGARD HAGN BAILEY,
86, passed away on June 4, 2022, surrounded by her loving daughters. She was born August 2, 1935, Munich, Germany, to Josef and Anna Hagn. Early life exposed her to the horrors of war, except when her parents sent her and her siblings to the countryside, with relatives, for their safety. Her teen years became more normal and her schooling and activities were that of most young German girls of hard working, strict parents. During these years she took ballroom dancing and became an accomplished dancer.
At 18, she went to work for Siemens, the largest industrial manufacturer in Europe, in their secretarial pool… her first job that she dearly loved!
Irmgard’s handsome Prince Charming, Chuck Bailey, appeared in an American Air Force Uniform, on stage, in a service club at Neubiberg AFB. Her dance instructor had taken the young Frauleins there to teach the GIs how to dance… and provide a little female companionship! Chuck was sitting in with the band, playing guitar and singing, when she caught his eye… not too long thereafter, the Love and Life Story of Irmgard and Chuck began. They were married December 22, 1954, in Munich… the young Fraulein becoming a military wife.
In November of 1955, Chuck received orders to Sewart AFB outside of Nashville, Tenn. Leaving his pregnant wife behind until he could secure their living accommodations, Irma gave birth to their first-born in Germany before joining him in Nashville where they would complete their family of three girls and one boy.
Chuck’s next duty station was McDill AFB in Tampa, Fla. There Irma, with the help of new friends, also military wives, continued the learning process of her new life in America. Among numerous other things, she taught herself to drive practicing in the driveway while Chuck was performing his Air Force tour of duty in Vietnam. She became very involved in volunteer work, especially working with Family Services welcoming new arrivals to the base. Four days before his assassination, on November 18, 1963, Irma walked her four young children to the highway where the motorcade of President John F. Kennedy passed en route to his visit in the area. She wanted them to witness this historic event… evidence of her new-found American spirit!
Chuck was then transferred to Idaho where she continued her role as full-time mother of four, housewife, supportive military spouse, volunteer for family services and personal secretary for her part-time musician, singer-songwriter, husband. It was during this time that she studied to become an American Citizen… that proud moment coming when she took the oath of citizenship in November of 1969.
Next came orders to Ipswich, England, in March of 1970. Fifteen years after giving up her country, family, friends and customs, she was reunited with her mother, introducing her to her American Enkelkinder! During that tour of duty, she was able to get her new family together with other extended family members in Germany. Great memories were made for her children during this time.
Returning to the U.S. in October of 1973, she went to work for Southwestern Bell/AT&T. She retired 20 years later with a perfect attendance work record… her German work ethic! During this time, she perfected her culinary skills, becoming a self-taught cake decorator. She made all of her children’s wedding cakes (some twice!) and special cakes for many other friends. She was also an exceptional seamstress/ tailor… sewing elaborate outfits for all of her children as well as the stage clothes for Chuck and the members of his popular band. She learned to play, and became quite good at, golf and tennis, and she loved to fish!
Irma was a devoted Christian with ever good instincts and lived a fearless life of decency. Her “love language” was feeding family and friends. The fortunate (and there were many) who experienced “Irma’s Apple Pie” have never seen or tasted anything so good since their last bite of that pie! She believed in public service and was routinely involved in helping those in need. Irma lived a full life, loved her family and contributed much to those who were lucky enough to have known her.
Irma was predeceased by her parents, Josef and Anna Hagn; a sibling, Anna; beloved husband, Charles E. Bailey; and son, Charles E. Bailey, Jr.
Survivors include her daughters, Ester Madison, Beverly Bailey Moore (Robert), Anna Breyel, and daughter-in-law, Robin Bailey; siblings, Josef “Peps” Hagn (Hedwig), Frieda Schmid, and sister-in-law, Cilla Chandler; grandchildren, Cady Klevgaard (Kyle), Zach Breyel, Dillon and Bailey Madison, Livi, Liza and Lorelei Bailey; step-grandchildren, Rob and Lee Moore; and six great-grandchildren; and extended family and friends.
A joint memorial service for Irmgard and her son, Charles Bailey (deceased December 31, 2021), will be held 2 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2022, at the Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff and caregivers of Superior Health and Rehab in Conway, Ark., for the loving care administered to Irma over the past 15 months.