Erin grew up in Bountiful and Clearfield, Utah. She earned her Young Women’s Award and held many assignments and positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Erin attended Utah State University where she was a straight A student. While in Logan, she met and fell in love with Michael Barton. The couple were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. Her precious son, Ethan, was born in Logan. The family later moved to Edmonton residing there for many years.

Erin is preceded in death by her beloved Aunt Lorraine (“Auntie L”), with whom the family played board games and loved and laughed until the wee hours of many mornings. Also preceding her in death were grandparents Loyd and Alma Bates, Al and Helen Sauerwein, and John and Lucille Eagan. Erin is survived by her son, Ethan, husband Michael, her father, John (Merry Ann) Bates, and mother Mary Anne Bates, sister Megan, brothers Jeremy (Sharon), Patrick, Jon and David, Del (“Uncle Del”) Brown, and nieces, nephews and many friends.

Our memories of Erin are cherished treasures. Erin loves animals, especially cats and dogs. As she was growing up, her favorite cat was Double Stuff, a small jelico cat, daughter of “Wise” Minx and Oreo. She loves adventure and the outdoors. In her youth she was in Brownies, Girl Scouts and once danced in The Sunshine Generation. She always has a happy spirit, whether swimming with the dolphins in Florida, hiking and riding down the Grand Canyon, or horseback riding for 8 hours straight. She seldom complains, and would say: “Well, this is why we came.” Even when she broke both ankles during a sledding accident in Logan, she was more worried about her brother, Jeremy, than herself. Erin once started a candy business, “Sweets by Rynne”. It was a great success, wherein she made small models of Lego-type figures out of chocolate.

Erin is detail oriented and developed a plan for how she could finish high school early so she could spend a year with her sister, Megan, at Utah State. Her plan worked and she was a freshman when Megan was a senior. Erin’s imagination is always on overdrive. She planned and held a “Harry Potter” birthday party for Ethan. Family and friends were dressed up as characters from the books. Games, including a “whacking tree”, and treats were also from the wizard’s tales.

Erin is busy now planning and working with her family, friends and ancestors helping with the Gathering on the other side of the veil. Her communication to family and friends is the same today, as when she said at Minx’s passing:

“Oh be wise, what more can I say.”

(Happy memories of Erin may be sent to “batesjfoct22@gmail.com”)