Pam D. Bates

Pamela Denning Bates, 80, of Idaho Falls, passed away May 24, 2026, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Pam was born May 27, 1945, in Logan, Utah, to George Telford Denning and Genevieve Wiser Denning. She grew up and graduated from Warden High School. She also attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

In February 1964, she married Lynn Merril Bates, in Acequia, Minidoka, Idaho. They were blessed with three children. They were later divorced. Pam made her home in Idaho Falls where she worked as a cook for School District 93, at bakeries, and most recently, she was a job coach for vocational rehab.

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Pam enjoyed shopping with her daughters, sewing, and reading.

Pam is survived by her daughters, Kristine (Mark Langlois) Bergeman, and Karie (Gordon) Mason of Idaho Falls, ID and Janet (Robert Roberts, deceased) Roberts of West Jordan, UT; six grandchildren, Heather Dawn (Kevin Hayes) Phillipp, Devan Leigh (Brian Swacina) Bergeman, Mandee Lyn (Kydell) Brown, Jaelee Roberts, Megan Lyn (Chelsea) Mason, Tayler Marie Mason; and great-grandchildren, Jack Swacina, Zoey Brown, Daxton Brown, Haygen Hill, and Bradley Hill.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George T. Denning and Genevieve Wiser Denning.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, with Bishop Bruce Webb officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery.