She was born July 15, 1937 in Idaho Falls to John J. and Ethel Bills Butikofer. She grew up and attended schools in the Idaho Falls area. She graduated from Bonneville High School in 1955.

She married Bill H. Bates on May 2, 1958 in Idaho Falls. She lived in Idaho, and Wyoming. She was a teachers aide, postal worker, and a practical nurse.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Her hobbies were reading, handiwork, mothering, red hat society, cooking, camping, & music.

She was a loving woman who gave quiet humanitarian service.

She is survived by her daughter Jonita (Doug) Meyers of Roseville, Calif.; two sons Joseph H. (Caron) Bates of Spangdahlem AB, Germany, and Kyle Bates; 2 sisters, Maxine B. Schmid (David) of Bountiful, UT, and LaVeta Holycross of Norwalk, CA; 2 brothers, Larry Butikofer (Sharon) of Pocatello, ID, and Arlen Butikofer of Idaho Falls; and 9 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, and her parents.

Private graveside services were held on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at Grant Cemetery under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com.