Kenneth E. Bates

Kenneth Edmond Bates passed away peacefully on July 31, 2025, at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, MN.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30AM on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the Riverside Park Shelter in St. Cloud, MN.
Ken was born on March 12, 1937, the 4th of 9 children on the Norbert Bates family farm just NE of Watkins, MN. Working with siblings to do chores, tending animals and doing field work provided a sense of shared responsibility and taught the meaning and value of hard work.
As a young man, he spent a year and a half in France, serving the US Army in the early 50's. Ken married Ann Kunkel from Pearl Lake, MN on January 6, 1962. Throughout his marriage, he and Ann loved to dance and travel everywhere.
Ken's gregarious and outgoing personality served him well in the many businesses he owned over the years. He barbered in Watkins until 1972. From 1972 to 1981, he and Ann owned and operated Aqua Lanes in Kimball, MN. In the mid-70's he added 4 lanes, making it a 10 lane bowling alley, which was almost unheard of for a town of only 567 people. Later, Ken worked at the Country Manor nursing home in Sartell, MN until his retirement, where he thoroughly enjoyed working with the elderly.
Ken, whose nickname was Kaiser, had a great sense of humor and was very generous throughout his life. Ken enjoyed playing cards, singing, gardening and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his sons Steve Bates, Mitch and Ingrid Bates, Robb and Aimee Bates and daughter Susie Piner; 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Irene (Gene) Sullivan, Beatrice (Harlan) Clark, Gordy (Sherry) Bates, Marilyn Kuechle and Ron Bates.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Bates; parents Norbert and Magdalene (Korte) Bates; and siblings Delores Faber, Florence Pope, Joe Bates; and his son Jeffry Bates.
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