Bunny Dailey

Bernadine Elaine “Bunny” (Phipps) Dailey, 78, passed away on April 23, 2021, at the Home Health and Hospice House in Rapid City, South Dakota.  A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. in Martin, South Dakota, on May 3, 2021, at the American Legion.

Bunny was born on October 9, 1942, in Nampa, Idaho, to Howard and Elaine (Westlake) Phipps.  The family moved from Nampa back to South Dakota in 1945 where Bunny went to a country school near Gordon, Nebraska, and later attended schools in Martin, South Dakota.  On August 5, 1961, she married Ronald Lewis Dailey in Martin.  To this union, three children were born:  Ruth Elaine Dailey, Ronald Lewis Dailey, Jr., and Denise Louise Dailey.

Due to their military service, Bunny and Ron lived in California, Honolulu, Hawaii, Texas, and Florida.  After Ron’s retirement from his long career in the U.S. Navy, the family left Pensacola, Florida, in 1998, and moved back to Martin where they became active in the community.  Bunny never met a stranger.  She was the very definition of kindness and generosity.  She loved to cook, bake, and care for her husband and family.  She was warm-hearted and loving to her family and everyone she met.

Bunny is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Ronald Dailey of Martin, South Dakota; a daughter, Ruth Temple of Texas, and a son, Ronald Dailey, Jr., of Tuthill, South Dakota; 2 sisters, Patricia Maciejewski, of Martin, and Linda Hicks, of Fort Pierre, South Dakota.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Elaine (Westlake) Phipps, a daughter, Denise Melvin, 2 sisters, Nancy Jo Allen and Jacquilin Ices Phipps.

Memorials and condolences can be sent in care of the Bennett County Funeral Services, 211 Main St, Martin, South Dakota, 57551.