Berniece Bates, 90, died Thursday, August 8, 2013 at Highland Park Care Center in Alliance.
She was born April 26, 1923 in rural Cherry County, Nebraska to Howard D. and Elsie Marjorie (Grieser) Coleman. She graduated from Valentine High School in 1942.
She and her sister moved to San Diego, California to work for Douglas Aircraft Company during WWII.
On July 31, 1944 she was united in marriage in Los Angeles, California to George E. Bates of Valentine while he was stationed in the U.S. Navy.
Following his discharge they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and St. Louis, Missouri while her husband completed college. They then moved to North Platte and in 1951 relocated to Hemingford where they operated the Bates Funeral Home. In 1961 they moved to Alliance where they operated the Bates-Landa Funeral Home until their retirement. They then enjoyed their winters in Florida and their cabin at Lake Minatare.
Berniece was a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, P.E.O., Eastern Star and Box Butte General Hospital Auxiliary.
She is survived by her children, David and Judy Bates of Yuba City, CA, Scott Bates of Alliance and Georgia and Jon Lauterbach of Oxford, AL. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Eric and Beth Bates of Alliance and their children, Brooke and Ethan, Shay and Gerald Armstrong and their children, Aden, Anna, Lilli and Nora of Lincoln, Maggie Lauterbach of Houston, TX and Andy Lauterbach and Kevin Lauterbach and his son, Landon of Oxford, AL. She is also survived by her brother, Dale (Viola) Coleman of Valentine, her sisters, Louise Downing of Valentine and Marjorie Zufelt of Lake Havasu, AZ.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband in 1995.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church with Father Coke McClure officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.with the family present from 5-7 and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Memorials may be given to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.