Our faithful mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, and sister, passed away peacefully at her home on May 14, 2019 at the age of 89.
Kate Wagstaff Bates, wife of the late Daniel Hyrum Bates, Jr. is survived by her children, Dan (Malena), Kitty Oswald (Les), Larry (Shannon), Arlo (GayeLyn), Shellie Olsen (Randon), Kent (Yuu), her sister, Josephine Wentz, 32 grandchildren, and 56 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband Daniel Hyrum Bates, Jr., son Roy, and grandson Aaron.
Kate was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 7, 1930 to Albert Leland Wagstaff and Josephine Smith. She grew up in Kamas, Utah where she helped on the family’s dairy farm. After graduating from South Summit High School in Kamas, Utah she attended Brigham Young Academy then served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission. Shortly after completing her missionary service she was sealed to Dan in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on December 12, 1952. Dan and Kate lived in Salt Lake, Provo, and Orem before moving to Heber, Utah where they owned and operated Bates Bakery. For nearly 20 years Kate helped her husband run a successful business while raising seven children.
Kate was a tireless servant of her Heavenly Father. She served faithfully in many callings, including multiple occasions as Relief Society President. Hundreds of people have been the recipient of her generosity and kind service. After retiring from the Bakery life, Kate served a senior mission with her eternal companion in Booneville, Missouri; in the the Kansas City, Missouri mission.
An avid artist, Kate enjoyed painting scenic vistas of Utah and portraits of those she loved. Many of these art pieces adorn the walls of family and friends. A talented musician, she enjoyed playing the piano and sang with the Wasatch Choralettes for many years. She could always be found with a good book and enjoyed being a member of the Belle Lettre Club in Heber. She especially loved biographies of LDS Church leaders as well as stories by Louis L’Amour. Kate also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and quilting. Many family, ward members, and friends were the lucky recipients of quilts, blankets, clothes and booties made by Kate’s hands. It wasn’t only her husband who loved baking as Kate loved creating cakes, cookies, and especially orange-flake rolls.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday May 18th, 2019 at the downtown chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 60 So. Main, Salem, Utah. Friends may visit with family at Walker Funeral Home, 187 So. Main, Spanish Fork, Utah on Friday, May 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m or at the chapel from 9:45-10:45 AM Saturday prior to the funeral. Kate will be buried in the Heber Cemetery.
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