Neva M. Bates, age 77, of Wells, died on Tuesday, May 30, 2006, at Parkview Care Center. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 2, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Wells, with visitation at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and one hour before the service at the church. The Rev. Art Keith will officiate and interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells.

Neva M. Bates was born on Feb. 10, 1929, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Edward and Esther (Dezell) Bates. She lived her entire life in Wells and taught country school north of Wells for several years. Neva also worked as a nanny for several Wells families, because of her love for children; and worked at the Friendship Home in Wells. She aspired to be an author of children’s books. She also enjoyed sewing, reading, movies, baking, cooking, and loved caring for her pets. Her memberships include the Wells United Methodist Church, the UMW, and the Birthday Club.

She is survived by one sister Colleen (Frank) Stiles of Wells; four nieces: Merilyn (Wendell) Weston of Vermont; Susan (Fred) Kontzelmann of Red Wing, Minn.; Wendy Penny (special friend Dwight Otten) of Red Wing, Minn.; and Peggy Meyer (special friend Kenny Kastens) of Waseca, Minn.; eight great-nieces and three great-nephews; as well as four great-great-nieces and five great-great-nephews, many cousins and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, many aunts and uncles, and one nephew-in-law, Randy Meyer.