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Shirley Mae Bates
Shirley Mae Bates
Springville
Shirley Mae Bates (Gearhart), 89, of Springville, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Care Initiatives Heritage/Specialty Care in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after a three-year battle with cancer. Per her wishes, she was cremated and a graveside service for her and her husband Bill will be at a later date. Entrusted with the arrangements is Iowa Cremation and Cedar Memorial.
Shirley was born July 15,1935, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Louise (McGregor) Gearhart and Curtis Gearhart. She married Bill Bates on July 17, 1969, in Marion, Iowa. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years and then worked at a daycare in Marion, Iowa in her later years.
Shirley is survived by her six children; Jeff (Julie) Athey of Verona, WI, Kim (Steve) Stumpff of Walford, IA, Robin (Mike Beaty) Kannenberg of Marion, IA, Tammy Athey of Cedar Rapids, IA, Tracy (Grant) Baumann of West Des Moines, IA, and Bill Bates of Springville, IA; fourteen grandchildren; and twenty-one great grandchildren; and a special sister-in law, Dorothy Teslik of Swisher, IA.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-four years, her parents, and her sister.
The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage and Mercy Medical Center for their support and tender care given to their mom.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries.
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