Iva Belle "Iva" Bates, 98, a lifelong resident of Long Lake Township, passed away Tuesday afternoon, August 1, 2017 at her home.

Iva was born in Long Lake Township on October 22, 1918, the daughter of Herman and Elsie (Durga) Kevwitch. She married Gerald Bates on September 21, 1946 at First Congregational Church, The Rev. Dr. Howard Towne officiated.

Besides working the family farm as a young adult and alongside her husband, Jerry, Iva worked as an accountant for several local businesses, Traverse City Canning and Cherry Growers to name a few. Siedman and Siedman was the last before she started her own accounting business. She assisted others in financial matters along with income tax preparation until her retirement in 2009. She was a life member of First Congregational Church, The Zonta Club of Traverse City as well as the Traverse City Golf and Country Club. She also served on the board of the Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation.
Golf was her game, but she and Jerry also enjoyed playing cards with their Long Lake neighbors, and was the true definition of a card shark. Iva treasured working in her garden, especially her roses, and always enjoyed a fishing trip with her brother Carl. Her nieces and nephews were special to her and she enjoyed having them spend summers at the farm and at the cottage.

Iva is survived by her sister, Margaret Reutter of Lansing, her brother Carl Kevwitch of Kingsley, and her sister-in-law, Jean Skipski of Traverse City, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry; siblings Alice Parkins, Dr. Clarence Kevwitch, Mary E. Kevwitch, and Grace Anderson, and her parents.

Visitation for Iva will take place Saturday, August 5, 2017 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Her funeral service will take place Sunday, August 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church with Pastor Chad Oyer officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery in Long Lake Township.

Memorial contributions may be directed to First Congregational Church or to a charity of one's own choice.

Iva's family would like to thank her caregivers and neighbors who helped make it possible for her to live at home the last several years.

Please share your memories of Iva with her family by visiting www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.