Donald Leslie Bates passed away March 28th 2022 At Bethany on 42nd in Fargo, ND.
Donald was born February 6, 1926 in Drayton, ND to Mary (Devlin) and John Leslie Bates. He attended school in Drayton graduating in 1943. Shortly after graduation he was drafted into the military and served in the Navy during WWII on the aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise where he worked as an electrician. Following his military service he returned to Drayton where he farmed with his father. He married Marlene (Mosolf) in 1955 and they made their home in Drayton where they raised their family; Nina (Clint) Hanson, Carol (Lyle) Benson, Jeffrey (Michele) Bates, Linda Bates (D) and Suzanne Johnsen. He was preceded in death by his wife Marlene of 65 years, his parents, sister Ruth Ann Bates Jorde, and daughter Linda.
Don took over the family farm from his parents growing small grains and sugar beets until his retirement. He also worked at the local Farmers Union and Schumacher Potato House and in his younger years was a member of the Drayton Curling Club. He was an active member of the American Legion, playing taps on his trumpet for many veterans memorial services. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran church where he served as treasurer for 20 years and church elder for 18 years. He was also active on the American Crystal Sugar Beets Board of Directors, as well as being a director for the Drayton Farmers Union Elevator.
In his retirement years he and Marlene enjoyed meeting their friends at one of the local restaurants for coffee and socializing. Don was always one to ask if a friend had a question about local history. The local senior center was another spot he could be found enjoying an afternoon of card playing. Don was always up for a pinochle game and loved visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In Donald's later years he moved to Grand Forks and then Fargo but Drayton always had a special place in his heart. In his new communities he found new friends and was able to be closer to his family. A highlight for him during this time was participating in the Veterans Honor Flight with his daughter Nina. They, along with many Veterans and family members, flew to Washington DC and saw the World War II memorial, Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Wall and many other historical sites. A special event was a banquet honoring the Vets where during "mail call" each Vet was given cards and letters written to them from family and friends telling what they meant to them.
Donald will be remembered by, his sister Cathryn (Wilkinson), his children, his 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Donald will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Drayton. Interment will be in the Drayton City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service.
Donald was born February 6, 1926 in Drayton, ND to Mary (Devlin) and John Leslie Bates. He attended school in Drayton graduating in 1943. Shortly after graduation he was drafted into the military and served in the Navy during WWII on the aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise where he worked as an electrician. Following his military service he returned to Drayton where he farmed with his father. He married Marlene (Mosolf) in 1955 and they made their home in Drayton where they raised their family; Nina (Clint) Hanson, Carol (Lyle) Benson, Jeffrey (Michele) Bates, Linda Bates (D) and Suzanne Johnsen. He was preceded in death by his wife Marlene of 65 years, his parents, sister Ruth Ann Bates Jorde, and daughter Linda.
Don took over the family farm from his parents growing small grains and sugar beets until his retirement. He also worked at the local Farmers Union and Schumacher Potato House and in his younger years was a member of the Drayton Curling Club. He was an active member of the American Legion, playing taps on his trumpet for many veterans memorial services. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran church where he served as treasurer for 20 years and church elder for 18 years. He was also active on the American Crystal Sugar Beets Board of Directors, as well as being a director for the Drayton Farmers Union Elevator.
In his retirement years he and Marlene enjoyed meeting their friends at one of the local restaurants for coffee and socializing. Don was always one to ask if a friend had a question about local history. The local senior center was another spot he could be found enjoying an afternoon of card playing. Don was always up for a pinochle game and loved visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In Donald's later years he moved to Grand Forks and then Fargo but Drayton always had a special place in his heart. In his new communities he found new friends and was able to be closer to his family. A highlight for him during this time was participating in the Veterans Honor Flight with his daughter Nina. They, along with many Veterans and family members, flew to Washington DC and saw the World War II memorial, Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Wall and many other historical sites. A special event was a banquet honoring the Vets where during "mail call" each Vet was given cards and letters written to them from family and friends telling what they meant to them.
Donald will be remembered by, his sister Cathryn (Wilkinson), his children, his 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Donald will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Drayton. Interment will be in the Drayton City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service.
Donald Leslie Bates passed away March 28th 2022 At Bethany on 42nd in Fargo, ND.
Donald was born February 6, 1926 in Drayton, ND to Mary (Devlin) and John Leslie Bates. He attended school in Drayton graduating in 1943. Shortly after graduation he was drafted into the military and served in the Navy during WWII on the aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise where he worked as an electrician. Following his military service he returned to Drayton where he farmed with his father. He married Marlene (Mosolf) in 1955 and they made their home in Drayton where they raised their family; Nina (Clint) Hanson, Carol (Lyle) Benson, Jeffrey (Michele) Bates, Linda Bates (D) and Suzanne Johnsen. He was preceded in death by his wife Marlene of 65 years, his parents, sister Ruth Ann Bates Jorde, and daughter Linda.
Don took over the family farm from his parents growing small grains and sugar beets until his retirement. He also worked at the local Farmers Union and Schumacher Potato House and in his younger years was a member of the Drayton Curling Club. He was an active member of the American Legion, playing taps on his trumpet for many veterans memorial services. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran church where he served as treasurer for 20 years and church elder for 18 years. He was also active on the American Crystal Sugar Beets Board of Directors, as well as being a director for the Drayton Farmers Union Elevator.
In his retirement years he and Marlene enjoyed meeting their friends at one of the local restaurants for coffee and socializing. Don was always one to ask if a friend had a question about local history. The local senior center was another spot he could be found enjoying an afternoon of card playing. Don was always up for a pinochle game and loved visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In Donald's later years he moved to Grand Forks and then Fargo but Drayton always had a special place in his heart. In his new communities he found new friends and was able to be closer to his family. A highlight for him during this time was participating in the Veterans Honor Flight with his daughter Nina. They, along with many Veterans and family members, flew to Washington DC and saw the World War II memorial, Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Wall and many other historical sites. A special event was a banquet honoring the Vets where during "mail call" each Vet was given cards and letters written to them from family and friends telling what they meant to them.
Donald will be remembered by, his sister Cathryn (Wilkinson), his children, his 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Donald will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Drayton. Interment will be in the Drayton City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service.
Donald was born February 6, 1926 in Drayton, ND to Mary (Devlin) and John Leslie Bates. He attended school in Drayton graduating in 1943. Shortly after graduation he was drafted into the military and served in the Navy during WWII on the aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise where he worked as an electrician. Following his military service he returned to Drayton where he farmed with his father. He married Marlene (Mosolf) in 1955 and they made their home in Drayton where they raised their family; Nina (Clint) Hanson, Carol (Lyle) Benson, Jeffrey (Michele) Bates, Linda Bates (D) and Suzanne Johnsen. He was preceded in death by his wife Marlene of 65 years, his parents, sister Ruth Ann Bates Jorde, and daughter Linda.
Don took over the family farm from his parents growing small grains and sugar beets until his retirement. He also worked at the local Farmers Union and Schumacher Potato House and in his younger years was a member of the Drayton Curling Club. He was an active member of the American Legion, playing taps on his trumpet for many veterans memorial services. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran church where he served as treasurer for 20 years and church elder for 18 years. He was also active on the American Crystal Sugar Beets Board of Directors, as well as being a director for the Drayton Farmers Union Elevator.
In his retirement years he and Marlene enjoyed meeting their friends at one of the local restaurants for coffee and socializing. Don was always one to ask if a friend had a question about local history. The local senior center was another spot he could be found enjoying an afternoon of card playing. Don was always up for a pinochle game and loved visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In Donald's later years he moved to Grand Forks and then Fargo but Drayton always had a special place in his heart. In his new communities he found new friends and was able to be closer to his family. A highlight for him during this time was participating in the Veterans Honor Flight with his daughter Nina. They, along with many Veterans and family members, flew to Washington DC and saw the World War II memorial, Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Wall and many other historical sites. A special event was a banquet honoring the Vets where during "mail call" each Vet was given cards and letters written to them from family and friends telling what they meant to them.
Donald will be remembered by, his sister Cathryn (Wilkinson), his children, his 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Donald will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Drayton. Interment will be in the Drayton City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service.
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