Maxine Louise Bates

Maxine Bates, 93, passed away on November 17, 2023, at Amelia Senior Living in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she had lived for two years after moving there from her long-time home in Stockton, Kansas. 

Maxine was blessed with a long life full of energy and love. She made everything she touched more beautiful, and everyone she met feel better.  

She was born on August 3, 1930, in a farmhouse in Davis County, Iowa, as the first of two daughters of Oscar Van and Verda Edith (Nutt) Greene. After graduating in 1947 from Douds High School in Douds, Iowa, Maxine moved to nearby Fairfield, Iowa, where she began work as a sales clerk for the local J.C. Penney store.

At the store, Maxine met and fell in love with Ken Bates, a fellow employee. Maxine and Ken were married on September 5, 1948, in Fairfield. The marriage lasted nearly 69 years until Ken passed away in 2017.
While in Fairfield, Ken and Maxine had two children: Brad and Dee. In 1954, the family moved to Emporia, Kansas, after Ken was promoted to assistant manager of the Penney store there. In 1958, Ken was promoted to general manager of the Penney store in Stockton, and Maxine and their two children soon followed.

Maxine and Ken became active members of the Stockton community and its Methodist Church. Maxine was a steadfast member of the Methodist Church choir. She delighted in sharing her cooking talents in preparing meals for all occasions at the Church. Young couples would seek her advice when planning their weddings at the Church. Some may remember Maxine and Ken dearly for hosting and leading weekly Bible studies at home. Maxine’s hospitality was also appreciated by the many who were welcomed to stay in her home whenever needed.

In 1967, Penney’s closed the Stockton store and offered another move for the family. Instead, Ken and Maxine decided to stay at their beloved home in Stockton. They opened a store with a variety of merchandise similar to that of Penney’s and called the store Bates of Stockton.  

Maxine played an indispensable role in the success of Bates of Stockton. She had an excellent sense of fashion and style. She knew and understood the store’s customers well enough that she could anticipate customers’ wants and needs.   

Upon graduating from high school, Maxine had planned to use her sense of style to become an interior decorator. Her contributions to Bates of Stockton allowed her to fulfill some of those plans. Even after Bates of Stockton closed, Maxine continued to contribute her touch of design. She volunteered at the Stockton Thrift Store and was particularly helpful in arranging displays.

Maxine enjoyed entertaining in her home. Her home became a welcoming spot for coffee and meals. No invitation was needed to attend. People would “stop by” to talk.    

Maxine had long enjoyed baking and eventually became known for baking bread for family, friends, and others, gaining a widespread appreciation of her cinnamon bread. Many repairmen and service providers gladly accepted compensation for their services in the form of loaves of Maxine’s bread.

After closing Bates of Stockton in 1989, Maxine and Ken found more time to travel. They embarked on memorable journeys with friends and family during that time. Wherever Maxine went, she spoke to everyone in a straightforward, down-to-earth style and charmed people with her warmth and sincerity.

Maxine was predeceased by her husband Kenneth Bates and her son-in-law Bob Wicks.  

Survivors include her two children, Brad (Kim) Bates of Fort Myers, Fla., and Dee (Gayle Schroder, fiancé) Wicks of Council Bluffs, Iowa; four grandchildren: Tyson (Kristin) Wicks of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Kale (Brandy) Wicks of Treynor, Iowa, Kira Bates of Chevy Chase, Md., and Brittany (Brandon) Watts of Folsom, Calif.; her sister Violet (Orville) Van Wyck of Newton, Iowa; and six great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held in Stockton and will be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stockton Methodist Women and sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 721 N. 1st Street, Stockton, KS 67669.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com