BATES, Joan A.

Joan A. (Wales) Bates passed from this earthly world in Phoenix, Ariz., on June 22, 2008. Born on May 9, 1928, Jo was the youngest of four children born to Benjamin H. and Elsie M. Wales. She attended school in Albia and Chariton and married Robert Bates of Mystic in 1949. They made a life together for 35 years, settling in the Centerville Iowa area to raise their three children, John, Kristine and Jennifer. In the mid-1980s, Jo relocated to Phoenix, Ariz., where she worked as a scheduling clerk for the Maricopa County Superior Court. Upon retirement, she worked in Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks, and spent summers in Minnesota and Iowa visiting family and friends. In 2003, Jo moved to McCann Village in Newton where she was an active volunteer in the American Legion Auxiliary and the RSVP. She loved living in Arizona and returned there in 2006. Jo was preceded in death by her brother, John, and her sister, Mary. She is survived by her sister Eudora (Dody) Dutemple of Albia; her son, John (Laura) Bates of Centerville; two daughters, Kristine (Tim) Frakes of Granger and Jennifer Bates of Des Moines; three grandchildren, Abigail Bates, Alexandra Frakes and Adam Frakes; and several nieces and nephews. It was her wish that there be no memorial or graveside service. Newton(IA) Daily News July 1, 2008