Phyllis Fern Bates, 95, died June 27, 2014 at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. She was born Feb. 23, 1919 at Duluth, Kansas, the daughter of Emil F. and Hattie A. (Brunkow) Kolterman. Phyllis married Robert Bates Nov. 2, 1952, in Topeka. They were later divorced. An insurance clerk for Dr. Polson and Dr. Schuetz, Ms. Bates was a Great Bend resident since 1953 coming from Topeka. During the 1940s, she had worked in Civil Service for the war department in New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Topeka. Phyllis was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Church Circle, Mini Bible Study, 55+ Club, the Wagon Wheels, Etudian Club, and E.H.U. Northwest. She enjoyed travel, K.U. basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs. Survivors include a son, James R. Bates and wife Jennifer, Denver, Colo.; a daughter: Michele J. Bates, Great Bend. Funeral Service is scheduled at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend with Rev. Mark Galbraith officiating. Interment will be at the Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled from noon to 9 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Memorial Funds are requested for Trinity Lutheran Church or Pawnee County Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.