Lois Bates, 97

Lois Arlene Bates (Bailey), 97, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Friday, August 2, 2024 at St. Mark’s Senior Living.

Lois was born on February 19, 1927 in Freeborn County, Minnesota to Charles and Dorothy (Skamfor) Bailey. She graduated from Austin High School in 1945 and worked for Hormel for many years where she met the love of her life, Wayne. They were married on December 24, 1949 and went on to have four children, Jody, Randy, Karen and Jeff.

If you knew Lois, you knew her Norwegian humor. She enjoyed spending time with family, good conversation over coffee, crocheting and taking all your nickels/dimes in cards.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; son, Randy; parents, Charles and Dorothy; two sisters, Inez and Elaine; and two brothers, Jim and Don.

Lois is survived by her children, Jody (Cathy) Bates of Austin, MN, Karen Montag of Forest City, IA, and Jeff Bates of Kanawha, IA; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Bates of Forest City, IA; 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; sister, LaDonna “Babe” Klapperick of Austin, MN.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, August 12th at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with Chaplain Dan Mueller officiating . Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery.