Della M. Bates, 96, of Hutchinson, died March 3, 2011, at Promise Regional Medical Center in Hutchinson. She was born March 21, 1914, at Mooreland, Oklahoma, the daughter of John Jacob and Bessie Vandeventer Hoover. She moved to Hutchinson from Burrton in 1996, having previously lived in El Dorado, Douglass and Atlanta, Kansas. She was a 1932 graduate of Mooreland (Okla.) High School and was a member of New Life Christian Church. She had worked for Cessna during the war years and had managed the Red Cross Nutrition Mealsite at Burrton for many years. She was active with the Girl Scouts and the AARP Chapter #451.

She married Frank W. Bates on May 7, 1942, in Andover. He died Feb. 4, 2003. Survivors include: a son, Wendell Bates (Sue), Hutchinson; daughters, Linda S. Rector (Arby), Johnson, and Lou Ann Bates, Bel Aire;  a daughter-in-law, Carol Bates, Augusta; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by three sons, Roger, Ronald and Thomas Bates, and a daughter, Marilyn Bates.

Cremation has taken place.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 7, 2011, at Elliott Mortuary, with Pastor Daniel Price presiding. A private family inurnment will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Augusta. A register book may be signed Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be given to New Life Christian Church or Wesley Towers Health Care Activities Fund, sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson KS  67501. Friends may visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.