OBITUARIES

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Sep 11, 2003

BRODUS DEAN FREEMAN SR.

Brodus Dean Freeman Sr., 76, departed this life on September 5, 2003 at Spring Village Care Center in Colorado Springs, CO. He was a Colorado springs resident for the past ten years.

Brodus was born on November 25, 1926 to the union of Thomas and Ollie Mae Freeman in Anderson, SC. He is preceded in death by both his parents and one daughter Patsy Ann Freeman. Brodus served in the U. S Army during the World War II Conflict and was honorably discharged with the rank of private first class.

Brodus enjoyed going to Cripple Creek and playing cards with family and friends.

He is survived by two daughters, Vivian Mitchell of Colorado Springs and Patricia A. Freeman of Hartford, CT; sons Brodus Dean Freeman Jr. of Hartford, CT, and Michael Freeman of Bowie, MD; son- in-law, Donald R. Mitchell of Colorado Springs; ten grand children and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday September 11, 2003 at Angelus Funeral Directors Chapel.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2003 at Angelus Funeral Directors, 2535 Airport Rd.

Burial will take place at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO.

MARIAN "MITCH" BATES

Marian "Mitch" Bates was born on Aug. 21, 1928, to Arthur and Hazel Mitchell in LaCrosse, WI. She died peacefully on Sept. 9, 2003, at Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs.

Marian grew up in Beaver Dam, WI, where her mother had been a teacher and her father owned a hardware store and served as County Clerk and Recorder of Dodge County. She graduated from Wayland Academy and received a BA degree in English from Beloit College in 1950.

Lured by the beauty of Colorado during a visit, she moved to Colorado Springs in 1952, where she taught English at Cheyenne Mountain High School and met former Colorado College hockey player Don Bates. They were married in Shove Chapel in 1954, the beginning of a 49-year loving partnership. Through the years, Don established Don Bates Insurance, they built a dream house, raised three children, and shared travel adventures throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, especially to their beloved England.

Once her children were in school, she returned to the classroom herself, sharing with high school students at Wasson and Doherty her love of literature, humor, creative writing, and theatre. She received a Master's Degree in education from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 1978, where she joined the faculty as supervisor of the student teacher program in English and social studies for 15 years.

"Mitch" was a private pilot, a golfer, a writer, an artist, and calligrapher. She served her sorority, Delta Gamma, as Province Collegiate Chairman during the 1970's and received its Cable award in 1982. She distributed books to children for the American Red Cross; directed a full theatrical production for the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, and served in many capacities for the First Congregational Church, and later, the Broadmoor Community Church.

She had a special place in her heart for her animals and the animals of the world. In tribute to them, she served as Secretary to the Board of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region for eighteen years. There was never a time in her life when she didn't have a loyal dog by her side.

"Mitch" was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Donald Bates, her children: David (Kathy), Betsy (David), and Barbara; and four grandchildren: Robert, Rebecca, Rachel, and Matthew; brother-in-law Douglas (Kathy); sister-in-law Elva; cousins David Mitchell and Lynn Strandt; and many treasured friends.

A memorial service for Mrs. Bates will be held at Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave., on Saturday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, 610 Abbot Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80905, or the Delta Gamma Tactile Gallery of the Fine Arts Center, C/O Sylvia Adams 2540 Shalimar Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80915

WILMA J. HUGHES

Wilma J. Hughes, 79, passed away September 9, 2003 in Colorado Springs following an extended illness. She was born April 17, 1924 in Kansas City, MO, to Arthur A. and Eva J. love. She was a 1942 graduate of Center High School and worked for Crown Drug Company. On May 1, 1955 she married Lloyd B. Hughes. They lived in Honolulu, HI; Colorado Springs; Kansas City, MO; Stuttgart, Germany; and Fort Leavenworth, KS, before settling in Colorado Springs in 1966 following his U.S. Army retirement.

From 1968 to 1992 she worked as a secretary at Circle Drive Baptist Church, where she was a member. For many years she volunteered in Sunday School and missions activities and sang in the choir. In addition to church work, her passions included ceramics, making and collecting dolls and growing roses.

Survivors include a son, Joseph Hughes, Atlanta GA; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Geoffrey Kenway, Santa Ana, CA; sisters Betty Coleman, Highland Village TX, Lucille March, Corpus Christi, TX, and Mary Miller, Kansas City, MO; and a brother, James Love, Kansas City, MO.