Esther O. Bates, age 93, of Mitchell, died October 11, 2006, at Firesteel Healthcare Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, October 14, at the Will Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be from 4-6 PM Friday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Esther was born August 20, 1913, in New Norway, Alberta, Canada to August and Nellie (Nelson) Bergquist and moved with her parents and five brothers, to South Dakota at the age of 4. During her growing up years, her family lived on several different farms in Davison, Hanson and Miner Counties. Esther was united in marriage with Donald Bates on September 8, 1938. They lived and worked together on the farm for over 20 years, milking cows, raising and butchering chickens, etc. Selling cream and eggs was their livelihood during the dirty 30s. She cared for her mother in their home for the first 22 years of their marriage. They retired in 1981. Esther and Don have spent the last few years living in several healthcare homes in Mitchell. The kindness and compassion shown by caretakers at Seasons of Life, Prairie Crossings and Firesteel Healthcare, helped so much to ease their transition from independence, to assisted living. They truly felt a valued part of your families. Esther was a member of the First Lutheran Church and had been a member of Love Circle. She enjoyed music/dancing and was a self taught pianist for a family band which played for lots of area dances. She was an avid bowler and for over 30 years bowled on mixed leagues and womens leagues every week. She bowled her final game in 1991. She is survived by her husband, Don; one sister-in-law, Eunice Bergquist, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Ralph, Gene, Theodore, Oscar and August Bergquist. Memorials will be directed to Blind Research.