Eleanor B. Bates

Eleanor B. Bates, age 101, a resident of The Holmstad in Batavia, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. She was born January 1, 1924 in Chicago to Aksel & Marta Lorentsen.
After high school Eleanor worked as a secretary for Bare Brand Hosiery for 10 years in the Loop while living with her parents. Eleanor met her husband, Cecil Bates, at a USO event at Great Lakes naval academy. They were married September 14, 1946. Eleanor then traveled and lived on naval bases in Virginia Beach and Key West. After the war they moved back to Chicago where she worked as a bookkeeper for the Pacific Garden Mission for many years. Upon moving to Warrenville in the 1980's, Eleanor worked at the Hinsdale Flower Shop and enjoyed being involved in women's ministry at Wheaton Bible Church. She was also an active member of the Sons of Norway Polar Star Lodge in Aurora. She volunteered at many local organizations including Evangelical Child & Family Agency in Wheaton and the American Legion.
She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth (Phillip) Kasperson of Gallatin, TN; her grandchildren Justin (Kelsey) Kasperson, Hannah (Ryan) Kelly & Jordan (Claudia) Kasperson; her great-grandchildren: Noah Kasperson, Alexandra Kelly & Caroline Kelly; her brother Walter (the late Mary) Lorentsen. Also survived by numerous nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Cecil Bates.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. Burial will be private at Irving Park Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Pacific Garden Mission.
Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.