Scott Bates, 60, of Estelline, passed away on November 24, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.  A celebration of Scott's life will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings at 11:00 a.m.  A time of fellowship and meal will follow the service, at the funeral home.  Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Casual attire or your favorite Vikings apparel is suggested by Scott's family.  Although floral arrangements are appreciated, donations are preferred to the Lake Region Golf Club in Arlington, SD.  Geise Funeral Home is assisting the Bates family with arrangements.

Scott James Bates was born on June 14, 1964, to Morris and Patricia (Rydjord) Bates in Aberdeen, SD.  Scott spent his youth growing up in the Aberdeen area before his family moved to Sioux Falls while Scott was in the 7th grade.  Graduating in 1982, from Lincoln High School, Scott went on to work in the Sioux Falls area until moving to Lake Poinsett in 2006.    Scott was united in marriage to Pamela Hammond on December 1, 1984, in Sioux Falls, SD.  Following the move, Scott began working at the Lake Norden cheese plant, followed by Solventum/3M, where he worked until the time of his passing.  He was a member of the Lake Region Golf Course and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD.

In his free time, Scott was an avid golfer, enjoying his time on the course whether he was on the fairway, in the rough, or the trees.  Scott was a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and enjoyed watching their games and collecting memorabilia.  He could often be found tinkering on different projects in his shop and especially enjoyed making various items for family members.  Scott loved his time at the lake either cruising the lake on his pontoon or speeding around on his jet ski.  Above all, Scott truly cherished time with his family, and especially enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren.

Scott is survived by his wife, Pam, of Estelline, SD; his children: Joshua (Amber) Bates, of North Liberty, IA, Aaron (Tricia) Bates, of Hartford, SD, Elizabeth (Rocky) Reuer, of Kalispell, MT, and Ellen (Andrew) Fischbach, of Warner, SD; his grandchildren: Cecil, Annika, Ethan, Coraline, Lachlan, Elinor, Viola, Otto, Marian, and Amelia; siblings: Charlene (Javier) Aparicio, Cathy (Patrick) Westby, and Greg (Julie) Bates; and his parents, Morris and Patricia Bates.