Dennis Lyle Bates, the son of Lyle Mayne and Marjorie Maxine (Hummel) Bates, was born January 4, 1944, in Red Oak, IA. Dennis died December 10, 2023, at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 79 years, 11 months, and 13 days.

Denny attended school at Griswold, graduating with the class of 1962.  He then attended Iowa State University for a short time and enrolled in the Naval Reserve.  Dennis served  his country with the United States Navy Reserves from 1967 to 1969. During his service he was deployed to Vietnam as a Gunners Mate with a small patrol boat unit. For his service in Vietnam he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and two Bronze Stars, one with Valor. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Griswold where he farmed the family farm along with raising livestock.  After retiring from farming in the mid 1980's, he worked in Omaha for Rex Road Sanitation for several years.  He then began working for Neff Towing in Omaha, where he worked for sixteen years, until his retirement.

Denny was a member of the Omaha Truck Club.  He loved to collect antique tractors, cars, trucks, records, and toys.

Denny is preceded in death by his son Steven in 1989, and his parents.

Dennis is survived by his sons:  Brian Bates and wife Kathy of Griswold, IA, Kevin Bates and wife Dacia of Merrill, IA, and Aaron Bates and wife Megan of Griswold, IA; his grandchildren:  Chris Bates and wife Jesi, Allison Bates, Sya Bates, Jordyn Toha, Makenzie Bates, and Alex Bates; his great grandchildren: Isaac, Bristol, and Chayse; his brother Kenton Bates and wife Pam of Council Bluffs, IA; and his sister Beth Slagle of Crete, NE.  Denny is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold.  Interment will be in the Whipple Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.  Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.