Julie Bates Nelson, age 89, of New Prague, died Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at her home.  Julie was born January 27, 1924 in New Prague to Thomas F. & Pauline A. (Jelinek) Rybak.  She was a lifelong resident of New Prague, attending both St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and the New Prague Public Schools.  She went on to attend Business College in Minneapolis, which led to working as a secretary at Northwest Airlines.  She married Frank C. Bates in New Prague on June 10, 1947 where the couple made their home. Julie worked as an office manager for Dr. Wayne Hines and in the business office at Queen of Peace Hospital, but she was best known as an exquisite seamstress in a business she owned first with Arlene Mach and then later singly.  She was involved in Bridge Clubs, St. Wenceslaus CCW, Hospital Auxiliary, and delivered Meals on Wheels.  Julie was very creative with arts projects, sewing, knitting, cookie baking, and gardening. Her greatest love, however, was her family and community.

Julie is survived by her children, Cheryl Bates (& Steve Kupetz) of Minneapolis, Therese (& Dave) Loomis of Toledo, OR, Dugan (& Anna) Bates of Stevenson, WA; step-children, Stephanie Vincent and John Warren Nelson, both of Luck, WI; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death  by her parents; husbands, Frank Bates on December 5, 1971 and Warren Nelson on September 7, 2012; brothers, Thomas, Lawrence, and George Rybak; sister, Pauline Rybak.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Bruzek Funeral Home in New Prague with Father Kevin Clinton officiating.  Visitation will take place 2 hours prior to mass also at the Funeral Home.  Interment will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery.  Lunch follows at the New Prague Golf Club –  no outside food may be brought in.