Funeral services for Wanda E. Dailey, 83, will be held at noon, Aug. 6, 2026, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville with Deacon John Rudd officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Spencer. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.
Wanda Ellen Dailey passed away on August 2, 2026 surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. Wanda was born May 27, 1943 in Baudette, MN to Andrew and Harriet (Coleman) Walsh, the youngest and only girl with eight brothers. She grew up in Milford, IA where she attended St. Joseph’s Catholic school and Milford High School.
Wanda met the love of her life when she asked a friend for a ride home from Spencer. The friend asked Marvin to drive them and she “accidentally” left her roller skates in his car. The rest is history. Wanda married Marvin Dailey in Fairmont, MN on August 20, 1960. They lived on a farm southeast of Armstrong until moving into town in 1965 where they lived for 58 years before moving to Tea, SD.
Wanda and Marvin were blessed with three children. Rick, the oldest, was born in 1962. They adopted JoEllen as an infant in 1970 and Ernie in 1978 at the age of 9. They have 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. The family also fostered handicapped kids from a group home during holidays when their families were not able to visit.
Wanda was a long time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Armstrong where she served on the Altar Society and church circle, as a catechism teacher, making food, serving funerals, cleaning, and organizing events. Wanda also served her community by driving people to out of town appointments and delivering Meals on Wheels.
Wanda was a caregiver and true hostess, making everyone who visited feel at home. There were many conversations around the kitchen table. It was always tea time in the afternoon and everyone knew to stop after the races for a plate of nachos. She loved spending time with family and friends, reading, puzzles, road trips with Bonnie for lunch, and late night phone conversations with Helen.
Left to cherish her memory are: Marvin, loving husband of 65 years; children: Rick (Deb) Dailey, Ernie (Kim) Dailey, and JoEllen (Troy) Fitz; grandchildren: Eric, Kyle, April (Aaron), Taylor, Anthony, Jennifer, Nichole, Angela, Christian, Hannah, Kenzie, Jarett, and Vanessa; great-grandchildren Annabelle, Kiara, and Leilani.
She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Harriet; brothers Ralph, Robert, Vernon, Kenneth, Roger, Marvin, Darrel and Leland; and grandchildren Marie and Hope.
Online condolences maybe left for Wanda’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com
