Mary K. Bates was born on March 16, 1948 in Santa Barbara, CA to Leo & Dorothy (Reeves) Ford. She passed from this life on Sat., March 5, 2011 at Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, KS at the age of 62. Mary grew up in California. She was married to Marvin Bates for 28 years until he preceded her in death on Nov. 25, 2008. They moved to Concordia in 2001 from Pretty Prairie, KS. Mary was the dietary manager for Sunset Nursing Home for the past 10 years. She is survived by her daughters: Donna Tate & husband Clint, Concordia, KS, Lori Dill & husband Tim, Pratt, KS, Tammi Runyun & husband Steven, Salina, KS & Diane Lindsey & husband Brooks, Moore, OK; sons: Eddie Hornof, Pratt, KS, Brad Bates & wife Nova, Logan, KS, John Bates & wife Kim, Oklahoma City, OK & Gary Bates, Salina, KS; sisters: Judith Scott & husband Fred, Hanford, CA & Linda Russell, Hutchinson, KS; brothers: Michael Ford, Hutchinson, KS & William Ford, Hutchinson, KS & 15 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, parents, son, Mark Bates, grandchild, Brandon Bates. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Thurs., March 10, 2011 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home with Rev. Barry Brinkman officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM to 9 PM, Wed., March 9, 2011 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. The casket will remain closed. Burial will follow the services at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia. The family suggests memorials to the Rebecca A. Morrison House of Salina in care of the funeral home.