Herbert W. Pates was born August 21, 1897, on a farm in Cuming Co., Nebraska (near West Point) to William and Elise "Lizzie" (Hediger) Pates.  He received less than an eighth grade education in a country school because of work requirements at home.

As a young man he worked for his family and neighbors prior to farming for himself.  In 1923 he moved to a farm in the Hilland area.  After farming for a year he did custom trucking for various ranchers in the Hilland area.  He then worked at the Hilland Store for two years.

Herbert was united in marriage to Johanna Paulson on February 26, 1927, at her parents' farm located in the Hilland area.  They made their home on a farm-ranch four miles south of Hilland, which they owned and operated until semi-retiring in 1963, but continued to reside on the place.

His wife preceded him in death on August 4, 1964.  In 1976 Herbert moved to Philip.  In 1983 he moved into the Senechal Apartments in Philip where he has continued to reside.

Herbert was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Grace Lutheran at West Point, Nebraska, in 1913.  After moving to South Dakota he transferred to Hilland Lutheran Church and was active there until its closing in 1969.  After that he transferred to Trinity Lutheran near Grindstone.  Trinity Lutheran closed its doors in February of 1994.  He then transferred to First Lutheran in Philip.  He was a charter member of the Hilland Cemetery Association, which was formed in January of 1970.  He was also a member of the Bad River Senior Citizens and the Winchester Hotel Museum.

After retirement he did farm and garden work for neighbors.  He maintained the Hilland Cemetery and was instrumental in placing memorial stones and markers there.

Grateful for having shared his life are his son, John LaVern Pates and his wife, Eileen, of Brookings, South Dakota; a daughter, Rose Kiel and her husband, Loren, of Quinn, South Dakota; 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Rudy Pates, of Fremont, Nebraska; two sisters, Bertha Samuelson and Ida Zahnow, both of West Point, Nebraska; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, Johanna, he was preceded in death by a stillborn son, Edmond Willis; his parents (his father died at the age of 48 when Herbert was not quite 11 years old); a granddaughter, Sharon Gutormson; four brothers, Irvin in infancy, Arthur as a toddler, Robert and Edward; and two sisters, Clara (at the age of 7) and Rose Albrecht.

Memorials may be directed to the First Lutheran Church's handicap access fund.

Services
Thursday, May 16, 1996
10:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Hans Sacrison

Music
Lorna Wheeler - Organist
Congregational Hymns
"Living for Jesus"
"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

Special Music
Vernon Burns - Vocalist
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
"My Tribute"
"Beyond the Sunset"

Ushers
Gordon Paulson - Gaylard Paulson

Pallbearers (All Grandsons)
Matthew Pates - Mark Pates
Mikkel Pates - Merritt Pates
Dan Kiel - Bryan Kiel

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Hilland Lutheran Cemetery
Hilland, South Dakota