M. Lorene Bateman

Published 12:34 am Saturday, July 26, 2014

Dec. 14, 1931 – June 14, 2014M. Lorene Bateman, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, and former owner of the Farewell Bend Bed and Breakfast, passed away suddenly June 14, 2014, at her home in Casa Grande, Arizona, where she moved in November of 2012. She was 81.Lorene was born in Iberia, Missouri, on December 14, 1931. She was the oldest daughter of Lance and Bernice Groce. She loved to tell the story of how as a child she studied by lantern light because her family had no electricity. She kept the lantern all of her life as a reminder. Lorene left Missouri at 19 and eventually migrated to California, the state of her dreams, where she lived for over 30 years. She was married to Lee Bateman from 1962 until his death in 2006.In 1989 Lorene moved to Oregon to open the Farewell Bend Bed and Breakfast in downtown Bend, which she operated for a number of years. She then moved to the east side of town where she retired to quilt, travel, garden and enjoy being a grandparent to her three grandchildren, Lindsey, Kristen and Allison. Lorene was a very artistic person who enjoyed refurbishing old antiques, decorating her home, being a master seamstress and creating an English garden, until finally settling on quilting as her major artistic project. For many years Lorene belonged to Mt. Bachelor Quilters Guild and served a term as President. She was involved in the making of the City of Bend Centennial Quilt. She also was a longtime member of the Tuesday Tushies Appliqu group, and went on many adventures with them. Lorene always had several projects going and donated quilts to local charities, including the Ronald McDonald House. Lorene also generously volunteered her time to the Hospice/Partners in Care organization at their facility in Bend. Always active, Lorene loved to walk with her dogs. Her most recent dog was Rusty, who now lives with her son, Kevin. She worked out three days a week and constantly worried about the five pounds she needed to lose. Lorene was gregarious, social and never short of an opinion. She had a big heart and was always busy. Lorene was a diamond with some of the rough edges still not polished. She expected much from life and those around her but also strived to give back what she could. She did not like growing old and fought it at every turn. She maintained a beautiful home and was working in her garden when she died. She proclaimed when she moved to her current residence that her family would have to take her out “feet first!” Lorene usually got her way and in this she did as well. Lorene is survived by her three children, Candace Mills of Casa Grande, Jackie Lange (Richard) of Sammamish, Washington, and Kevin Bateman of Casa Grande; three grandchildren, Lindsey, Kristen and Allison Lange; a sister, Dean Dilley of Ulman, Missouri, and a brother, Larry Groce, of Kansas. There will be a memorial celebration for Lorene 3:00 p.m. July 26 at the home of Troy Johnston, 2931 NW Celilo Lane, Bend, OR 97701; (541)408-5150. Please join us to celebrate a life well lived. Contributions may be made in Lorene’s name to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 1700 NE Purcell Blvd., Bend, OR 97701 (541)318-4950; or Partners in Care (Hospice), 2075 Wyatt Ct., Bend, OR 97701 (541) 382-5882.