Bernard Bates
Bernard Bates, age 84 of Elmwood,
Died Sunday October 17, 2010 at his home, at the Welcome Home Assisted Living in Elmwood.
Bernard was born October 8, 1926. He was the son of Harry and Rose (Hartung) Bates and grew up in the Eau Galle community. As a young man he worked for various farmers in the area, along with working at home. In 1949, Bernard purchased a farm in the Farm Hill area of rural Elmwood. He married Marie Meixner August 27, 1951 at Holy Rosary Parish-Lima, rural Durand. After marriage they lived and farmed near Elmwood until 1988 when they moved into the Village of Elmwood. Even when Bernard lived in town, he frequently traveled out to the farm to see what was going on. When he no longer could drive he would even travel to the farm on his scooter. Bernard was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church; he was an active member of the Elmwood Knights of Columbus; he also served many years on the Rock Elm Township Board. Bernard loved to play cards, enjoyed fishing and hunting. Bernard loved to do woodworking but most of all he loved spending time with family and friends.
Bernard is survived by two sons, Gary (Marilyn) of Crystal, MN; Timothy (Lynette) of Elmwood; two daughters, Maribeth (Steve) Brunner of Arkansaw; Gina (Chris) Zurek of Inver Grove Heights, MN; 10 grandchildren, Crystal, Harvest, Douglas (Shelly), Jennifer, Ryan, Jason, Corey, Valerie, Eric and Marcus (Ashley); three step grandchildren, Kayla, Scott and Kevin; two brothers, Carl Bates of Sleepy Eye, MN; Alfred Bates of Columbia Heights, MN; four sisters, Sr. Mary Bates of LaCrosse; Esther Bauer of Menomonie; Virginia Schuh of Marion IA; Angeline Brantner of Eau Galle;
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marie in 2008; four brothers, Lawrence in infancy, Joseph, Lawrence and Arthur Bates; one sister Roseanne Clark