Juanita A Bates
Juanita A. Bates age 91 of Elmwood, died Sunday, July 21, 2013 at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Menomonie with her family by her side.
Juanita was born on April 8, 1922 in Dunnville rural Dunn County. She was the daughter of John H. and Ruth M. (Dean) Smith. Juanita grew up in the Downsville area and attended Downsville Graded Schools and Menomonie High School. After school, Juanita did housekeeping, child care and she also cared for a special nephew, Jerry Joe. Juanita married Charles Louis Bates on June 27, 1944 at Sacred Heart Church in Elmwood. After marriage they lived on the Bates family farm in Elmwood, where they farmed and raised their family of nine children. She also spent many hours in her garden growing and canning food for the family. Juanita was active in the Sacred Heart Church Altar Rosary Society and during her retirement years, she assisted with funerals at the church with her husband.
Juanita enjoyed music, raising violets, fishing, doing beaded calendars, photographs and embroidery. She was a great baker and her homemade cinnamon rolls and molasses cookies will be missed. Most of all, Juanita enjoyed spending time with her family.
Juanita is survived by her children; John (Jean) of Eau Galle, Joan (Bruce) Everson of Eau Claire, Richard (Janice) of Durand, Patty (Bob) Hawkins of Fredericksburg, VA, Jeanne Bates of Menomonie, Peggy (Richard) Snyder of Durand, Steve (Cindy) of Elmwood, Tom (Lori) of Fall Creek and Janet (Daniel) Jorstad of Chippewa Falls, 12 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Ilene Bates of Menomonie, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Charles, one granddaughter, Jessica Snyder, two brothers; Gerald and Miles Smith, one sister; Jeanne Henry and a special nephew, Jerry Joe Henry.