Our condolences go out to the Bates family on the passing of Beatrice Frances Bates (nee Carson) on March 2, 2025, at the age of 93.
Bea is survived by her loving husband, Donald Bates; her four daughters, Shirley (Daryl) Grindheim, Donna (Martin) Bohrson, Patricia (Lionel) Stilborn, and Linda (Wayne) Libke; nine grandchildren, Dean (Bonnie) Grindheim, Amber (Trevor) Burks, April (Evan) Libke, Aaron (Sherri) Bohrson, Jay (Beverly) Bohrson, Scott (Rebecca) Bohrson, Lee (CoraLee) Stilborn, Tyler (Erin) Libke, Amanda (Dustin) Jullion; as well as 22 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Marvin Bates, Clifford Bates; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bea was predeceased by her five siblings; two grandsons, Ryan Stilborn (2005) and Darren Grindheim (2015); granddaughter-in-law, Sandra MacKinnon (2007); and grandson-in-law, Kyle Reay (2017).
Born in Valparaiso, Sask., to Albert and Susan Carson, Bea was the youngest of six children. She married Donald Bates, and they celebrated their milestone 70th anniversary in 2024. They established their home and built their love of farming life in the rolling hills of Sunny Valley, east of Hanley. She was a devoted wife and worked side by side with Donald as they farmed the land and raised cattle. One of their greatest accomplishments was the establishment of Sunny Valley Simmentals. Bea was the matriarch of the Sunny Valley Simmentals family, which is now run by Wayne and Linda Libke and Tyler and Erin Libke, along with Amanda and Dustin Jullion and their respective families. Well-respected in the industry as foundation Simmental breeders, many Simmental herds in North America can trace their initial bloodlines back to Sunny Valley Simmentals in the 1970s when the first cattle were imported into Canada from Europe.
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Family was an important aspect of Bea’s life, and she selflessly devoted all her efforts to her family. She enjoyed hosting and serving the most delicious holiday meals. There is still no one who can bake buns like Grandma Bea. Beatrice and Donald semi-retired from farming in 1986, moving to an acreage near Dundurn. They began to travel and enjoy life at a slower pace. In 2006 they moved to Saskatoon. Even as dementia softened her memories in recent years during her stay at Sherbrooke and Samaritan’s Place, it couldn’t dim the light of her spirit or the warmth of her smile.
Bea was blessed with a full life and will be missed dearly by her family and friends. A celebration of Beatrice’s life was held on March 10, at Hillcrest Funeral Home, Saskatoon, Sask. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bea’s memory can be made to a charity of your choice. To leave condolences for the family, please visit hillcrestmemorial.ca.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sherbrooke and Samaritan’s Place for their devoted and patient care.
