Elsie Mary Bates

Funeral services for Elsie Mary Bates will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Jared Tucher officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Gillette Memorial Chapel.Elsie Bates, age 77, of Gillette, Wyoming died at her home surrounded by her family on Sunday, January 22, 2012 of cancer.Elsie Mary was born on May 30, 1934 in Gillette, Wyoming the daughter of Chris G. and Flora S. (Price) Olsen. She was raised and educated in Campbell County attending elementary schooling in Rozet and high school through her freshman year at Campbell County High School. Elsie married Donald George Bates on April 7, 1950 in Hardin, Montana. Shortly after the couple married Don was called back into the service and Elsie followed him living in Chicago and then Fort Eustis, Virginia, where their first daughter, Donna was born. The couple returned to Gillette where their 2nd child, Donald was born and the couple made their home. Completing Elsie and Don's family was the adoption of their 3rd child Gail. Elsie worked for Hesteds and Sands Restaurant .In 1976, the family moved to Sheridan where she worked for 7 years in the food service business for the Coffeen Middle School. In 1984, the family returned to Gillette due to Don developing cancer. Elsie enjoyed sewing, crocheting and working in her garden. Elsie is survived by her husband Donald Bates of Gillette, Wyoming; daughters: Donna (James) Foster of Gillette, Wyoming and Gail (Andrew) Layden of Elizabeth, Colorado; 7 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, son Donald as well as her siblings: Ruby Olsen, Gilbert Olsen, Vi Likewise, Olga Osborn and Bob Olsen.Memorials are suggested to benefit the Gillette Cancer Care Center. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Elsie's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716