Wilbur "Bill" Bates

Posted 11/13/02

Funeral services for Wilbur Stanley "Bill" Bates, 93, were held Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca with the Rev. Tom Sahlstrom officiating.

Burial followed at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Music was provided by Ann Johnson and Anne Carlson. Pallbearers included Derrick Naumann, Dustin Naumann, Jerry Johnson, Marty Ehret, Dale Gilbert and Chris Gilbert.

Mr. Bates died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 at the Milaca Elim Home.

He was born May 20, 1909 to Sheldon and Edna (Yager) Bates in Audubon, Iowa. At the age of two, he moved with his family to a farm in northwest Iowa. He was baptized in the Methodist Church as was his daughter, Marcelle. He attended school in Excelsior, Iowa, where he was active in sports and 4-H. He graduated from high school in 1927. In 1927, he married Angeline Thorn. They had one daughter, Marcelle. They farmed in northwest Iowa and in 1945 they sold the farm and moved to Spencer, Iowa. In 1948, they bought a farm near Milaca, and Wilbur farmed and did carpentry work. He retired in 1972 after having a heart attack. He was a lifelong member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2273 of Spencer, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife, Angeline; sister, Grace Northey; son-in-law, Edward Naumann; grandson, Barton and wife Cindi Naumann; great-grandchildren, Derrick, Dustin, Dillon and Danielle; sisters-in-law, Ardith Ehret and Helen Carlberg; brothers-in-law, Norm McCormic and James and wife Margie Thorn; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Marcelle "Sally" Naumann; sisters, Florence, Lois and Irene; brothers, Lester, Edwin, Kenneth and Russell.