Elsie Helen Marie Bates, the daughter of Carl Edward and Selina Bertha (Anderson) Weseen was born on August 9, 1917 at Stanton, Iowa. She passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the Griswold Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Griswold, Iowa at the age of 97 years, 5 months and 6 days. Elsie grew up in Stanton where she attended school. She was proud of her Swedish heritage. Elsie was united in marriage to Donald S. Bates on September 1, 1934. To this union six children were born: Gary, Shirley, Jerry, Barbara, James and Joanne. Elsie and Donald lived most of their married life on a farm three miles southeast of Elliott. She loved being a busy mother and farmer's wife. Elsie enjoyed embroidering, gardening, music, dancing and attending Pilot Grove Church activities. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald on March 13, 2000; infant son, Gary Lee; daughter, Shirley; three sisters: Lillian Benskin Lewis, Eunice and Alice Weseen; sisters-in-law and husbands: Geneva (Eugene) McConnell, Betty (Lester) Hill and Helen (Darwin) Thompson; and Helen's second husband, Jack Haupert. Elsie is survived by four children: Jerry (Diane) Bates of Grant, IA; Barbara (Ron) Schroeder of Lyman, IA; James (Sandra) Bates of Stanton, IA; and Joanne (Mike) Vogliardo of Polk City, IA; 12 grandchildren: Dr. Glen (Deb) Gerdes, Karen Gerdes, Debra James, Dr. Dana (Charles) Carson, Ann (Mike) Jones, John (Connie) Schroeder, Judi (Doug) Erickson, Jennifer (Charlie) Litton, Brenda (Eli) Parker, Brian (Jacque) Bates, Kristin (Court) Anderson and Rebecca (Bryan) Randall; 20 great-grandchildren: Ryan (Sarah) Gerdes, Sara (Dalyz) Jones, Matt (Jerica) Jones, Katelyn Jones fiancée Kevin Hardy, Joseph Schroeder, Tyler Erickson, Trey Erickson, Madeleine Litton, Lorenzo Litton, Chaz Carson, Dylan Carson, Jack Carson, John Parker, Daniel Parker, David Parker, Thomas Bates, Wesley Anderson, Whitney Anderson, Brynn Anderson and Luke Randall; and great-great-granddaughter, Addison Jones, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak Burial in Pilot Grove Cemetery, rural Elliott Rev. Terry McClain, Officiating Visitation with the family present will be Sunday, January 18 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home Memorials may be directed to Elliott Methodist Church or Elliott Volunteer Fire Department. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
