Norma Bates

Norma Olsen Bates, 96, who spent many years in devoted service to restaurant customers, passed away Monday, April 28, 2014 at the home of a daughter, JoAn DiCataldo, in Pocatello. She was born July 28, 1917 to James C. Olsen (later changing to Olson) and Eliza King Olson in Ovid, Idaho, where she attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and church in the Ovid ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When she was 12 years of age, the family moved to a ranch, close to Montpelier. She graduated from Montpelier High School in 1935. Moving to Pocatello, she met and married George R. Holmes and became the mother of two daughters, JoAn and Carol June. They were later divorced. In 1947 she married Eldon Bailey and spent several years in food service in Pocatello. When they divorced in 1956, she moved to Salt Lake City and later to Portland, Or, where she met and married Harry Bates, enjoying many years together, especially fishing on the Deschutes River. After his retirement from the freight hauling business, they moved from Portland to Nampa, Idaho, to be near family members. Harry died there in 1983. Norma became active in her church after moving to Nampa from Portland in 1979, serving as Relief Society secretary. She later served as a ward missionary in the Johnny Creek Ward in Pocatello. She was always a baseball fan, especially of the New York Yankees. Members of her family were recipients of many quilts and afghans she created, and she was an avid reader. She was loved by family members and became an unofficial hostess at family gatherings, seeking out those who seemed shy or who needed a friend. She lived with her daughter, JoAn, for many years. Survivors include daughters JoAn DiCataldo, Pocatello, and Carol June and husband Lee Andersen, South Weber, Utah; a brother Lyle Olson and wife Naida, Pocatello; 12 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Vera McFarland, Nampa; brother Harold Olsen, Pocatello; brother Evan Olson, Montpelier, and babies Kendall Andersen, Kembree Roskelley, and Barbara Delene Eiman. Funeral services will be Friday, May 2, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Colonial Funeral Home 2005 S. 4 th Ave. Pocatello, ID. Friends may call Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Colonial and for one hour prior to the service also at Colonial. Burial will be in Nampa, Idaho. Condolences can be made to the family online at www.colonial-funeralhome.com