Sally Bates, age 83, of Madison, died peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at Good Samaritan Home in Howard, SD.
A memorial service will be at 11 AM on Monday, July 20th at West Center Baptist Church with Pastor Justin DeBerry officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Military honors will be provided by the Madison VFW and Madison American Legion.
Sally Ann Harwig was born in Hinckley, MN on June 18, 1943, to William and Alice (Anderson) Harwig. She graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, SD and enlisted in the US Army on June 21, 1963 and was honorably discharged on December 3, 1964. After her discharge from the Army, she attended Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, ID. While there, she met Raymond Bates and they were married in August 1972. In 1987, Sally and her children moved to Wentworth, SD.
Sally enjoyed crafts and people have received homemade cards or crafts projects from her over the years. While at the Good Samaritan, she also led bible studies and continued enjoying making crafts and visiting with others. She was a long-time member of West Center Baptist Church in Madison, SD and enjoyed supporting our missionaries and those going on short term mission trips.
She is survived by her four children: Jamie Basolo, Pamela (Joshua) Boldt, David Bates, and Becky Bates; eight grandchildren: Camorra (Sam) Schamber, Makenna Bates, Racheal Bates, Dharma Boldt, Molly Bates, Gabe Ryley, Maya Ryley and Breanna Bates and three great-grandchildren: Samus, Eddie and Michael Schamber; eight siblings: Bill (Cathy) Harwig, Bob (Judy) Harwig, Henry Harwig, Sue (Jaime) Berry, Cheryl (Ron) Bollinger, Deb (Glenn) Bentley, Lori Anderson, Richard (Mary Jo) Harwig and many nieces and nephews.
Sally was preceded in death by her parents: William and Alice; step-father: Francis Clark; one brother: Ernest Harwig and one sister-in-law: Dorothy Harwig.
