Lois Bates

of Plainwell, MI, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2024, at Butterfly Oasis in Kalamazoo, MI. Lois was born on the family farm in Decatur, MI, on August 11, 1936, to Joseph and Frieda (Lyle) Kusmack. She graduated from Decatur High School and on August 25, 1956, she married her high school sweetheart, Willis "Bing" Bates. Together they had three children. During her children's teenage years, she was affectionately known as "Ma Bates." She was endlessly cooking for teenagers at the family cottage on Lake Michigan. Lois was proud of being the first woman radio dispatcher for the Portage Police Department. She later went on to finish her degree in teaching from Western Michigan University and taught for the remainder of her career at Decatur Public Schools. After retirement, Lois was actively involved at the Portage Senior Center. She enjoyed the activities, exercise and took many trips including to Peru, Galapagos Islands and South Dakota for the Buffalo Round-up. She was a member of GLAMA (Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association) and enjoyed Bluegrass music festivals in Michigan and North Carolina. Lois loved the holidays, especially Christmas and enjoyed entertaining at her annual Christmas Eve Open Houses at their Portage home. Surviving are her children, Allen (Deb) Bates, Barry (Cheryl) Bates and Willo (Kevin Price) McGee; her grandchildren, Kayce (Jarret) Geering, Morgan (Seth) Schuler, Katie (Mac) Harmon, Kristy (Edward) Kamar; step-grandchildren, Christopher McGee, George (Meg) Devales, Steph (Jeff) Short, Alaina Devales; fifteen great-grandchildren; sisters, Josephine Pape and Dorothy (Jerry) Price; sister-in-law, Carol Marlett; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many friends. Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, "Bing"; son in law, Richard McGee; sister, Linda (Henry) Hinton, brothers in law, Phillip Pape and William Marlett. The family cannot thank her caretakers at Absolute HomeCare and at Butterfly Oasis enough for their skill and compassion and for taking such good care of Lois in her last months. A Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Otsego United Methodist Church, 223 E. Allegan St., Otsego. Friends may call on the family following the service at the church. Memorial Contributions may be made to Animals Best Friend or Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, in c/o the funeral home. Friends may leave a condolence message for the family at www.joldersma-klein.com.