Patricia “Trish” Louise Bates, 73, Ramsey

February 23, 1943 - November 7, 2016

Memorial Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 18, 2016 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids for Patricia “Trish” L. Bates, age 73, who passed away on Monday, November 7, 2016. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Friday at the funeral home in Sauk Rapids.

Patricia Louise Bates was born Feb. 23, 1943 in Minneapolis to Joseph & Esther (Lemke) Valenta. She grew up in Farming Township near Albany and then moved to Minneapolis. Trish and her family spent over eight years in Saudi Arabia and traveled all over the world. Trish was a travel agent and secretary for many years, retiring in 2003. Her grandchildren were her passion and she enjoyed spending time with them and attending their activities. She was a loyal, respectful, supportive woman with a wonderful wit and a dry sense of humor. Trish was very active in her community, serving as an election judge and a delegate at the state level; as well as supporting and volunteering at the Anoka County Fair for many years.

Survivors include her son and daughter, Dan (Cheri) Bates of Sauk Rapids and Jeri Bates of Ramsey; grandsons, Barclay and J.D. of Sauk Rapids; mother, Esther Valenta of Brooklyn Center; brother and sisters, Jerry (Linda) Valenta of McAlester, OK, Barbra (Everett) Metzger of Maplewood, and Cherrie (Ron) Tenold of Nowthen; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Trish was preceded in death by her father; and niece, Tina Kluck.

Memorials given to the family will be donated to the Pancreatic Action Network, pancan.org.