Rolla P. Bates
Born in Nelson, NE on May 28, 1903
Departed on Feb. 4, 2007 and resided in Forest Grove, OR.


Rolla P. Bates, 103, a resident of the Forest Grove community, died Sunday afternoon, February 4, 2007 at The Grove Assisted Living Facility in Forest Grove.
A Celebration of Rolla's Life will be held on Friday, February 9, 2007 at 3:00 PM at the United Church of Christ, 2032 College Way in Forest Grove, with Reverend Richard Kroll of the United Church of Christ in Forest Grove and Pastor Brian "B.J." Beu of the Fox Island United Church of Christ in Fox Island, Washington, officiating. Private Family Graveside Services will be held at the Forest View Cemetery in Forest Grove.
Family and friends are invited to attend a reception immediately following the service, to be held in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
ROLLA PAULINE BATES was born May 28, 1903 in Nelson, Nebraska, the daughter of Connor Grossman and Bertha (Carroll) Grossman. She was the one of ten children, raised on the family farm, graduated from high school and became a teacher in a one-room rural school for six years.
She was united in marriage to Ernest F. Beu, in 1927 in Nelson, Nebraska. Following their marriage they made their home in Nelson. In 1935 they moved west to escape the Dust Bowl. They settled in the Carlton community until 1941 when they moved to Forest Grove. Rolla was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest, on January 19, 1944, from injuries he sustained in an industrial accident.
On December 21, 1956, Rolla married Robert Jesse "R.J." Bates in Forest Grove, Oregon. Rolla was preceded in death by her husband, R.J., after only seven years of marriage on March 13, 1964. Following her husband's death, Rolla continued to live in Forest Grove in her home on B Street for the next forty-nine years until April of 2005 when she moved to The Grove Assisted Living Facility.
During the 1950's and 60's, Rolla took in boarders from Pacific University. A longtime believer in being resourceful and staying busy, she was also a seamstress, took in washing and ironing and cooked for local college students.
She was a fifty-nine year member of the United Church of Christ in Forest Grove, having served at varius times as deaconess, Sunday School teacher, president of the Women's Fellowship group and a member of the Olivet Circle. In 1945, Rolla joined the Church Women United (now West Tuality CWU) and had held nearly every office in the organization, serving as president for several terms. She appreciated the "ecumenicity of CWU and the opportunity to work with women of many faiths from all over the world". She was honored as "Valiant Woman' of the years in 1979.
Among her interests, Rolla enjoyed gardening, quilting and baking. She volunteered for many years with Meals on Wheels in Forest Grove. Rolla loved visiting with people and keeping in touch with her friends.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Connor and Bertha Grossman; two brothers; six sisters; a step-son, Harold J. Bates; and a step-daughter, Rosa Axene.
Rolla is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jack E. and Winnie A. Beu of Forest Grove, Oregon; a daughter, Doris I. Ferren of Forest Grove, Oregon; a sister, Arlene Wagner of Lincoln, Nebraska; two grandchildren, Lori Beu and her husband, Jeff Dehner, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Pastor Brian "B.J." Beu and his wife, Pastor Mary Scifres of Gig Harbor, Washington; one great-grandchild, Michael Scifres-Beu of Gig Harbor, Washington; and numerous, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other extended family members.
The family suggests that remembrances may be made to the United Church of Christ, 2032 College Way, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116, in her memory.

Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home in Forest Grove is in charge of the arrangements. 503-357-2161