Katherine Mary Potter Bailey (Katie) Obituary
Mpls - Katie Bailey, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away surrounded by loved ones on January 20, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Vera Potter; her brother, Jim Potter, and her sister, Mary Schnellman. She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Don Bailey, and her three children, Ann (Bruce Fergusson), Jane (Tom Arndorfer), and Michael (Mari Furuhashi). She was immensely proud and fond of her ten grandchildren: Virginia (Blake Calcei), Margaret, Claire, Bridget, Andy, Alex, Michael, Jack, Ken, and Emi Katherine. She was delighted to welcome her first great-grandchild, Arthur Calcei, just last October.Katie had wonderful memories of her North Minneapolis childhood and her Catholic education at St. Margaret's Academy and the College of St. Catherine. She cherished lifelong friends from high school and college, as well as her tennis group, book group, and Girard Avenue, Creekside Circle and Walker Place neighbors.Katie and Don lived in Europe for much of the 1960's and 70's, first as newlyweds in Ingolstadt, Germany and later with young children in Linköping, Sweden. She treasured those years of new friends, new experiences and adventure.From her early days as an English major and high school teacher, Katie was passionate about writing and reading. She wrote professionally for several organizations, including 3M and British Heritage Magazine. She reviewed scores of literary novels and biographies for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Publishers Weekly. Her favorite Sundays had her review "above the fold" in that day's newspaper. Katie's broad knowledge of books gave her an uncanny ability to guide friends and family to their next great read.Most of all, Katie loved collecting and retelling stories about her children and grandchildren. They never ceased to amaze and delight her.Memorials preferred to Second Harvest Heartland. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Lakewood Memorial Chapel (3600 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis). Visitation at noon, service at 1 PM, reception to follow from 2-4 PM on site at the Garden Mausoleum Reception Area, Lakewood Cemetery.www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996Published on January 28, 2026
