Efren P. Bata, Sr.

Efren P. Bata Sr., 85, of Sioux City died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Memorial services will be 9 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Rev. Daniel Guenther officiating. Graveside services will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Sioux City Police Department Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Reserves. Visitation with the family present will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Avenue. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Efren was born July 9, 1922, in Wichita, Kan., to Pedro and Soledad (Becerra) Bata. He had lived in Sioux City since 1930. He attended Central High School and then joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific during World War II.

He married Victoria Manrique on Sept. 23, 1945, in Sioux City. Efren worked for Iowa Public Service, J.J. Mullaney and then joined the Sioux City Police Department in July 1952. While on the police department, he was known as the "Ambassador in Blue" and was well known for directing traffic at Fourth and Pierce streets and at Morningside Presbyterian Church. He was regarded as a liaison officer and enjoyed talking to the kids. He was a member of the police department until he retired in 1977. He also worked as a security guard at Toy National Bank, Morningside College, St. Vincent Hospital and the Gordon Twin Drive-in.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Men's Club. Efren was a member of the Sioux City Police Officers Association and the Iowa State Chiefs of Police. He was named the Rotary Club's "Man of the Year" in 1974. He was also a member of American Legion Monahan Post 64. Efren enjoyed smoking his pipe, gardening and eating hot dogs at Milwaukee Weiner with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Victoria of Sioux City; a daughter, Rosanna Koupal and her husband, John of Urbandale, Iowa; six sons, Ralph Bata and his wife, Leanne of Sioux City, John Bata and his wife, Peg of Urbandale, Anthony Bata and his wife, Shirley of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Efren Bata Jr. and his wife, Jeanne of Sioux City, Thomas Bata and his wife, Stephanie of Sioux City and James Bata and his wife, Brenda of Omaha; a brother, Peter Bata and his wife, Linda of Davenport, Iowa; two sisters, Socorra Rol of Sioux City, and Rachel LaScala of Sioux City; 16 grandchildren, John Koupal Jr., Amy Neville and her husband, Rich, Kurt Bata and his wife, Michelle, Tonya Dawdy and her husband, Tony, Jason Bata and his wife, Lani, Kim Bata, Kara Bata, Nick Bata and his wife, Lisa, Mary Bata, Victoria Watkins and her husband, Erik, Jacqueline Bata, Michaela Bata, Brianna Bata, Zachary Bata, Bronson Bata and Madison Bata; 12 great-grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; and four great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Joseph Bata; and two sisters, Anna Barner and Dora Seaton.

Pallbearers will be member of the Sioux City Police Department.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland.