Doris Ann Bates (Hosko)

Doris Ann Bates (Hosko), 73, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully, on September 9, 2025 at her home in Prosser.

She was born in Prosser on February 13, 1952 to John and Harriet Hosko, the youngest of five children. She grew up on the family farm in Whitstran on Hosko Road, having fun and getting into trouble, chasing her elder siblings around. The family moved into town in 1961, and Doris was very excited to move to the city. Doris lived in Prosser all of her life, and loved still living in the family home, which was the place of many family gatherings. She graduated from Prosser High School in 1970, where she was involved in various school clubs. She went on to graduate from Modern Business College in Pasco.

Doris married Roger Kent Bates on September 21, 1973 at the Prosser United Methodist Church. Doris worked at the Prosser Clinic as a clerk/typist for three years, and then worked for Chicago Title Company at the Benton Couty Courthouse from 1976-1998. In 1998, she began working at Meyer Funeral Home which, in 2003, became Prosser Funeral Home. She was loving, caring and compassionate with families she worked with, at the funeral home. She retired on December 16, 2024.

Doris enjoyed crossword puzzles, planning family gatherings, and gardening without gloves, because she loved to get her hands dirty. She was an artist, enjoyed decorating, and had tremendous attention to detail. She also enjoyed trips to Lincoln City and the casino, and attending Prosser High School football and basketball games, and watching the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks, and her grandchildren’s sporting events.

Family and friends were the center of her world. She believed in traditional family values and simplicity, loved her country and her community and believed in God. She was a proud mother-in-law to Marine SSgt Marvin L. Best, and supported our troops. She also went above and beyond to help people, especially the homeless, and their pets.

Doris is survived by her husband of fifty-two years, Roger; her daughters, Shelly Best and Alison (Chad) Bunker; her grandchildren, Elise and Drew Bunker; sister, Ida Mains; brothers, Robert Hosko and Peter Hosko; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Harriet Hosko; brother, Ed Hosko; son-in-law, SSgt Marvin L. Best; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jack and June Bates; and numerous aunts and uncles.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00, October 11th at Foundation Church in Prosser. Her wish was for cremation and she will be placed at the Prosser Cemetery at a later date.