Dianne Marie Bates, 73, of Austin, died Wednesday Dec. 28, 2016 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin.

Dianne Marie Boucsein was born Sept. 9, 1943, in Spring Valley, Minnesota, the daughter of Fred and Alice (Malloy) Boucsein. Raised in Spring Valley, she was a graduate of the public schools there. Following graduation she began working at Mayo Clinic. She married Bruce Bates on Sept. 7, 1963, in Spring Valley. From 1963 to 1965 the couple resided in North Carolina, where Bruce was stationed while serving his country. The couple returned to Minnesota, and Dianne worked at the front desk of the Red Cedar Inn. She eventually returned to the Mayo Clinic. She will also be remembered as the “noon lady” at the Neveln and Lincoln grade schools.

Dianne enjoyed knitting afghans, hats, and mittens, sitting in the sun and reading, square dancing, and camping.

She is survived by her husband, Bruce Bates of Austin; her children, Jeff Bates and Darcy of Austin, Brenda Finley of Austin, Melissa Willert of Blooming Prairie, and Tyler Bates of Albert Lea; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings, Sharon (Jerry) Balbach of Spring Valley, Fred (Bernetta) Boucsein of Byron, Pat (Bob) Blahnik of Spring Valley, and Kathy (Billy) Glovier of Abingdon, Virginia. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Danielle Bates.

Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mayer Funeral Home in Austin, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

A memorial mass celebrating the life of Dianne Bates will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at Saint Augustine’s Catholic Church in Austin. The Rev. Jim Steffes will be the celebrant. Burial of the urn will occur in spring 2017 at Calvary Cemetery.

Online tributes are being welcomed and may be written at mayerfh.com.