Elise L. Bates

Elise Lindegaard Bates was born December 1, 1932, the third child of six, to Kristen and Thyra Lindegaard in Solvang, California. “Lisa” was a sweet child who loved to care for others, a trait that would follow her for more than eight decades. Being born during the Great Depression certainly wasn’t easy, but as a young girl, she wasn’t really aware of any deprivation. Friends, school, books, music and church made for a rich life.

When Lisa was turning 10, the family moved to Buellton. She had many friends at Buellton Union Grammar School and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School who remained close throughout her life. Prior to graduating, Lisa fell in love with Thomas Bates, a young man from just down the street on Santa Rosa Road.

Lisa wed Thomas in 1951 and the two briefly moved to the Los Angeles area before returning to the Santa Ynez Valley where they welcomed the first of their six children, Mark. They soon ventured back to Los Angeles County, living mostly in the Lakewood area where the family continued growing in size with the births of Jeff, Dean, Amy, Clinton and Scott.

In 1964, the family returned to the Santa Ynez Valley. Lisa immediately became active in Bethania Lutheran Church, the PTA and the SYV Coordinating Council. She somehow found time for a career too—helping run the Danish Mill Bakery and Old Danish Food Farms before introducing Elise’s Pretzel Parlor, her very own shop! Lisa was incredibly proud of her eatery, and loved interacting with anyone who entered. She knew no strangers; only friends. And she loved hearing other people’s stories.

As 1987 arrived, her youngest child, Scott, was diagnosed with Leukemia and died a year later at 25 years of age. While coping with the loss, Lisa sold the Pretzel Parlor, and in 1992, she and Thomas moved to his birth state of Oregon. They enjoyed retirement in their new community, and cherished visits from loved ones. Prior to his death, Thomas asked Lisa to return to the Central Coast of California when he was gone. After seven wonderful years in Oregon, the family said goodbye to Thomas and the Golden State once again became her home.

Settling in Paso Robles, Lisa found a new circle of friends at Bethel Lutheran church in Templeton where she served in a variety of roles for the rest of her days. And that was Lisa—serving others with her friendliness, an uproarious laugh and a smile like no other. She was a humanitarian who could connect with the good inside all people. She always enjoyed a joke, tending to her roses, sharing meals with family and friends, and any occasion to celebrate her Danish heritage.

Lisa is survived by five children—Mark Bates (Esther) of Solvang, Jeff Bates of Buellton, Dean Bates of Solvang, Clint Bates (Elizabeth) of Utah, and Amy Bates Cano (Tony) of Los Alamos—along with 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, the last of whom was born in 2017 on her 85th birthday. Lisa also leaves 4 siblings—Svend Lindegaard, Otto Lindegaard, Ruth Lindegaard and Esther Lindegaard Torrens—and so many lives she touched along the way.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang on Saturday March 17 at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to Wilshire Hospice; 277 South Street, Suite R; San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, or the charity of your choice.