Arthur D. Bates

Arthur D. Bates, the son of Clifford and Freda (Lindsay) Bates, was born January 29, 1930 in Omaha, NE. His childhood was spent in Council Bluffs, IA, where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1948. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in June of 1948 and served until his honorable discharge in 1952. He then returned to Council Bluffs, where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. He joined the Iowa State Patrol in June of 1953. He was assigned to Post 1 in Des Moines and resided in Marshalltown. Art married Mary Alice Lang on April 24, 1954 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. In 1969, he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to Spencer, IA, where he served until his retirement in July of 1991 after 38 years of service. Highlighting his years were providing security for the 1959 visit of Nikita Kruschev. He was selected as chief photographer for the patrol for the Papal visit of Pope John Paul II on October 4, 1979. One of his most difficult times was when he assisted with the aftermath of the crash of Flight 232 near Sioux City, Iowa. Art enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, photography and loved spending time with his family. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer and was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus. Art passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer following a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 51 years, Mary Alice, on November 18, 2005. He is survived by his 7 children: Susan Bates of Spencer, Daniel and his wife, Connie of Spencer, Regina and her husband, Jerry Huber of Spencer, Mary and her husband, Joe Ostrihonsky of Sioux City, IA, Robert and his wife, Kim of Spencer, Jeff and his wife, Julie of Morton, IL and Michael of Spencer; 15 grandchildren; a brother and his wife, George and Pat Bates; two sisters: Joyce Fox, and Jo and her husband, Merle Joslin all of Council Bluffs, IA; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

CASKET BEARERS

VISITATION

MUSIC

INTERMENT