Celeste Nanette (Dryden) Bates, 58, of Hamlet, NE passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving husband and family on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Great Plains Health Hospital in North Platte, NE.

Celeste was born on November 25, 1965 in Fremont, NE, Dodge County, the daughter of Bernard Walter and Deloris Jean (Modlin) Dryden.

Celeste was married in 2008 to Jamie Ray Bates in Grand Island, NE.  She loved singing, writing music, and playing the guitar.  Celeste also enjoyed hunting and fishing with her husband Jamie, and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.  She was an ordained minister in the Progressive Universal Life Church and was always known as the peacemaker in her family.  She never met a stranger and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those left to cherish Celeste's memory are her husband of 15 years, Jamie; mother and stepfather, Deloris and Marvin Brainard of Fremont; daughter, Alissa Fields; sons, Forrest Fields and Tobias Bates all of Hamlet; grandson, Octivias Paxson of Hamlet; a sister, Cheryl; a brother, Brad; and several nieces, nephews; cousins; and beloved friends.

She was preceded in death by her father.

A memorial celebration of Celeste's Life is being planned for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023 in Fremont, NE.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children.

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.