Joan Elizabeth Bates

Joan Elizabeth Bates, of Wichita, passed away on June 24, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, at 71.

She was born on May 23, 1952, in Damar, Kansas, to Fredrick Edward and Bertha Blanche (Meanard) Knipp. She grew up in Damar and graduated from Damar High School in 1970.

On May 14, 1977, she married Linden Duwana Bates at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Damar.

Joan ran a daycare for many years. The kids were such a joy to her, and she treated them like her own. She watched them until she took her last step. She always put others before herself.

Even after a long day, she would still ensure her family was cared for.

She is survived by her husband, Linden Bates of Wichita; children, Jolynn Bates of Wichita, Gale Bates of Enid, Okla., Adam Bates of Wichita, Stacey Bates of Wichita, and Melanie Bates of Wichita; brothers, Donald Knipp, Stanley Knipp, Cletus Knipp, Marty Knipp, Dale Knipp, Larry Knipp, and Mitchell Knipp; sisters, Christine Winterburg and Paulette Mays; and five grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fredrick and Bertha Knipp; brothers, Dennis Knipp, Gale Knipp, Christopher Knipp, and Paul Knipp; and sisters, Charlotte Knipp and Charlene Knipp.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, July 1, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Damar. Burial followed at St.

Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Damar.

Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Street, Plainville, KS 67663.