Anita Marie Bates of Nevada, IA died February 15, 2020 at Story County Senior Care. Anita was born April 30, 1942 in Nevada, IA. The daughter of Reis and Freda Prati. Anita graduated from Nevada High School in 1960. Having won the Donnelly Scholarship, she attended Marycrest College in Davenport for one year and Iowa State University for one year. On Oct. 6, 1962 she married Gary Bates at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Nevada. Anita and Gary were classmates. In 1963 they started farming together. They had two children, Michael and Michele. Anita was a wonderful stay at home mom. They continued to farm together until 2009. Anita served on the Story County Extension Council and the Story County FSA Board. Although she grew up in Nevada, she soon came to love farm life. She loved driving large tractors, getting ground ready for spring planting, and doing fall tillage. While driving tractors, she enjoyed listening to sports and talk radio. She also enjoyed mowing grass on her John Deere mower. Anita and Gary also had a cow-calf operation. Although it involved a lot of hard work, they really loved good quality cattle. Anita, Gary, Michael and Grandpa went to many cattle sales. Anita and Gary went to many dances and music concerts with their parents who were a big part of their social life. Anita is survived by her husband of 57 years, Gary; two children Michael (Cherri) Bates of San Antonio, TX and Michele (Rich) Madson of Omaha, NE; two granddaughters Addison (David) Valdez and Mackenzie Madson; one grandson Samuel Madson and one great granddaughter Lunita Valdez; two brothers Richard and Randy Prati and one sister Angela Sawyers. She was preceded in death by her parents. Anita's greatest treasures were always her family and friends. People everywhere would talk about her beautiful smile. Anita's family is deeply grateful for the care she received from Windsor Manor, Story County Senior Care and St. Croix Hospice. The family will be directing all memorials to St. Croix Hospice and St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 18, 2020 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home, Nevada. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Nevada. Interment to follow at the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery.