Marian Bates

Marian Bates, 86, of Stephen, MN, passed away on Monday evening, March 11, 2019 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Marian Carlson was born on February 20, 1933 in Stephen, the daughter of C. Albert and Agda (Stride) Carlson. She was raised in Stephen where she attended and graduated from Stephen High School. On September 12, 1951, she was united in marriage to Donald Bates at the the Presbyterian Manse in Stephen. They made their home in rural Stephen where they farmed. Donald died on October 5, 2002. Marian was a waitress, grocery clerk, baby sitter and cleaning lady over the years.

She was a member of the Garden Club, Homemakers, former member of First Presbyterian Church and it's Ladies Aid and Presbyterian Circle and a present member of First Lutheran Church.

Marian and Donald owned and operated Granny's Country Nook where they sold woodwork and craft items. She enjoyed baking, getting her recipes published in cookbooks, collecting gingerbreads, playing cards, plants and flowers and following the Minnesota Twins and Timberwolves. She was lovingly known as Granny Marian to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to mourn her passing are six children, Linda (Roger) Golby of Annandale, MN, Timothy (Darlene) Bates of Stephen, MN, Leanne (Dale) Bergman of Dilworth, MN, Lois (Scott) Kramer of Stillwater, MN, Lanelle (Ralph) Arnt of Prior Lake, MN and Thomas (ViAnn) Bates of Moorhead, MN; thirteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; siblings, Corrine Krogh of Morris, MN, Edwin (Angel) Carlson of Hallock, MN, Janice (Willard) Landreville of Milaca, MN, Allard (Debby) Carlson of Hallock, MN, Carole (Jeff) Winter of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and Donna (Dick) Wilson of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law, Betty Carlson, June Carlson and Lee (Doug) Rinke and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Alden, Dennis, Larry and LeRoy and infant brother, Sydney.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at First Lutheran Church in Stephen, MN.

VISITATION: One hour before services at the church.

INTERMENT: Salem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Stephen, MN

MEMORIALS PREFERRED: Salem Lutheran Cemetery