Donald Bates

Donald Bates

1926-2021

Donald Bates, 95 of rural Keswick passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 14, 2021 at Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney. Funeral services began at 10:30 a.m. Saturday,  Dec.18 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Deep River. Burial military rites will be held in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg. Following the burial, a luncheon was served at the Deep River Community Center. Visitation began after 12 p.m.  on Friday, Dec. 17  at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Lutheran Church. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements. 

Donald Lester Bates, the son of Cecil and Bessie (Lester) Bates, was born on Feb. 10, 1926 near Gibson, Iowa. He attended school in Gibson and Deep River. On Dec. 5, 1945, Donald was drafted in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he worked for a turkey processing plant in Deep River and also drove school bus. On Dec. 9, 1951, Don was united in marriage to Elaine Tanke at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Deep River.  To this union three children were born, Gary, Marie and Gloria. Together they farmed and raised their children in the Keswick area. Don was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren in all of their activities. He enjoyed going to Iowa Hawkeye basketball games, going to Casey’s every morning for a coffee and a donut, mowing the lawn and above all his family. He also enjoyed spending time on the farm and helping his neighbors and other family members whenever they needed help. He was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Deep River, the Farm Bureau, English River Ruritans and the Morrison-Schrader American Legion Post #296.

His legacy is honored by his children, Gary (Wanda) Bates of Keswick, Marie (John) Moore of Keswick and Gloria (Greg) Strohman of Webster; his grandchildren, Heidi (Nate) Bjorkgren, Nathan (Shanna) Moore, Mindy (Aaron) Amstutz, Amy (Calvin) Van Genderen, Christopher Bates, Brooke (Matt) Yates, Alissa (Whit) Faas, and Zachary Strohman; his great grandchildren, Caden Van Genderen, Casen Van Genderen, Kaylee Bjorkgren, Jarrett Bjorkgren, Brandt Amstutz, Tucker Amstutz, Wesley Amstutz, Carter Moore, Finn Faas, Fletcher Faas, and Farlee Faas; a brother, Paul Bates and a sister-in-law, Joetta Bates of Montezuma along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Bessie Bates; his wife, Elaine Bates; his brothers Eugene Bates, Ronald (Evelyn) Bates, Gerald (Norma Jean, Eulalia) Bates, Ned (Jan) Bates, Tom (Helen) Bates, Merle (Jean) Bates and John Bates; his sisters Agnes (Joe) Hourihan, Margaret (Raymond) Tarvin, Dorothy Bates, Marlene Bates, Verla (Marvin) Tish, and Charlene Bates; a sister-in-law, Linda Bates