Kirk Bailey

Kirk Allen Bailey, 79, resident of Kalona, Iowa passed away at home on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, surrounded by his family. Kirk was born July 23, 1946 in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Paul Neuman and Fern LaVern (Benell) Bailey. He graduated from Mid-Prairie High School and from Mount Mercy College as magna cum laude. Kirk was united in marriage to Karma Hill on May 16, 1970 at the First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kirk was an officer for the Cedar Rapids Police Department (working as an undercover agent and in 1969 he was named “Rookie of The Year”). Other employment included working as an officer for both the Johnson County Sheriff's Department and the Iowa Department of Transportation. In retirement, he worked part time for the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home and the Washington County Juvenile Probation Office.

In his free time, Kirk enjoyed mentoring Mid-Prairie students, coaching youth baseball, and attending extracurricular school events. He had a deep appreciation and knowledge of colleges throughout the US. Kirk loved visiting campuses and was a wealth of knowledge about what each college/university had to offer students. He was a member of the Free Mason Lodge #549, the Richmond AMVETS #109, and the Kalona United Methodist Church. Kirk also served as president of the Mid-Prairie Athletic Boosters for 12 years. In 2007, he received the Mid-Prairie Education Association Volunteer of The Year Award and the Governor’s Volunteer Award. Most of all, Kirk had a strong faith and treasured time spent with his family.

He is survived by his wife Karma of 55 years; four children: Kirk (Sarah) Bailey of Washington, Brooks (Cyndi) Bailey of Craig, NE, Jorey (Lauren) Bailey of Kalona and Lindsey (Luke) Heppner of Gretna, NE; nine grandchildren: Kennadi Bailey, Isabel (Chase) McDole, Jack Bailey, Kasen Bailey, Haydon Bailey, Sutton Bailey, Dawson Bailey, Maxwell Heppner and Stella Heppner; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Pat (Alan) Arends of Albert Lea, MN, Betty Hill and Shirley Hill both of Cedar Rapids, Jackie Bailey of Kalona, Karla (Bob) Brown of Arnolds Park and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Thomas Bailey, nephew Seth Bailey, his in-laws Idres and Florence Hill and two brothers-in-law Kay Hill and Kent Hill.

A celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the East Union Mennonite Church, rural Kalona. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for The Courage Ride, Washington County Hospice or Grout Cemetery. The service will be live streamed on the East Union Mennonite Church zoom link, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88462485213?pwd=JyFu11cEUoV0f424RmLiHxx7apYsbI.1 

Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona is caring for Kirk and his family. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com