Bailey Schlador

Bailey Christina Schlador, 5 1/2 years old, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away quietly in her sleep on December 26, 2009, at Children's Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she was being treated for a seizure disorder. Services will be held at Harvest Community Church, 98 McDougall Drive, Lincoln, ND, 58504, on Monday January 4, 2010, at 2:00pm officiated by Mark Hoovestol. Reception will be held at 4:00pm at the same location after the burial at Fairview Cemetery at 2929 East Century Avenue, Bismarck, ND‎. Bailey was born May 31, 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona to Paul and Launa Schlador. At four months of age she started having seizures and continued to struggle with epilepsy for the rest of her life. So much of her life was doctors, hospitals, medicines and tests. But what we will remember most are her big, blue eyes and amazing long eyelashes, her quick, open smile, and her friendly spirit that did not know the meaning of the word "stranger." In many ways, Bailey was a typical little girl who loved books, puzzles, music, and drawing. She loved to play with her brother and sisters. She spent time playing in the sand on the beach, riding horses at family camp, and playing on the swings and slides at the playground. A special treat was riding the roller coasters at Mall of America! It was so fun to hear her laugh and squeal with delight! But in many other ways Bailey was very different from other children. She was never able to communicate well verbally and her siezures and meds affected her development. Although she could not communicate well, her life was expressed beautifully. So much of her life and our family was affected by her epilepsy, but through her many struggles we all grew in strength, compassion, grace and character. Through her suffering she carried a most precious message with her at all times...that we are all broken people, created wonderfully, but in need of healing, of love, of acceptance, of a Saviour. She is beloved of God and treasured by her family. Bailey's loving siblings are Renee, age 12, Sierra, age 10, Brooke, age 7, Jordan, age 4 and Christopher, age 1. She was well cared for at preschool by Early Child and Family Education in Bemidji, Minnesota, and Bismarck Early Childhood Education Program in Bismarck, North Dakota. She is loved by her church families: the Evangelical Free Church of Bemidji and Harvest Church of Lincoln. Her caregivers from Community Options and About U held a special place in her heart. We feel so blessed to have had five and a half years with our sweet Bailey. She is enveloped by the arms of her Creator and her suffering has come to end. Our separation from her is temporary. We look forward to our heavenly reunion when the Light will shine on all shadows and all things will be made right. She is survived by her parents, brother and sisters; maternal grandparents, Margie and Jim Gilbert, Mesa, Arizona. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, David and Janine Schlador of Phoenix, Arizona.

Bailey Schlador

May 31, 2004 - December 26, 2009