Helen Gates

Helen Dorothy Gates, the daughter of Henry and Sarah (Mohning) Meyer, was born on March 7, 1916 in Le Mars, IA. Her childhood years were spent in Le Mars where she attended school. In 1932, she moved to Marcus to help her sister who was managing the Marcus Cafe. She graduated from Marcus High School. On February 21, 1935, Helen was united in marriage to Raymond Gates on the farm located in Plymouth County. Following their marriage they lived in Marcus, where she resided until October 2003 when she moved to Colorado, living with a granddaughter and in an assisted living facility before moving into Heartland Care Center in November, 2007. After successfully raising nine children, Helen worked as the librarian in the Marcus Library for 28 years where she enjoyed helping the Marcus children discover new books to explore. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, the Marcus Women's Club and the American Legion Auxiliary. In her later years her greatest joy was her grandchildren who visited and were treated to their special dinners and favorite treats, always remembering who liked what. On April 22, 2011, Helen passed away at Heartland Care Center in Marcus at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Ray Gates; son, Jon Gates; infant son, Larry Dwain; her parents, Henry and Sarah Meyer; and five brothers, Al, Lloyd, Bert, Irvin, and Harold Meyer; her two sisters, Leona Moeller and Laura Lauters; and beloved grandson, Alan Mullen. She is survived by eight children: Janice (Neil) Schilmoeller of Littleton, CO, Keith (Faith) Gates of Noblesville, IN, Marilee (Gene) Buland of Omaha, NE, Lynette Gates of Woodbridge, VA, Tom (Margo) Gates of Ankeny, IA, Brian (Chris) Gates of Leewood, KS, Carol (Dan) Mullen of Sioux City, IA, and Dan (Rhonda) Gates of Marcus; one sister-in-law, Mary Meyer; 32 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends.

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