Vera M. Gates

Arapahoe, Nebraska Vera M. Gates, a resident of Arapahoe, Nebraska passed away at the age of 91, Sunday, January 12, 2014. She was a current resident of the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe, Nebraska. She was born on August 22, 1922 in Frontier County, Nebraska to Henry & Anna (Yorges) Puls. Vera was baptized on October 28, 1922 and confirmed May 19, 1935 at Salem Evan. Lutheran Church, south of Elwood, Nebraska. Vera married Kelley K. Gates on September 18, 1941 in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Then made their home in Indiana and returned to Arapahoe in 1949. She worked as a cook in a couple of restaurants and various odd jobs in the community. She was a member of the American Lutheran Church and later changed her membership to Trinity Lutheran Church, both of Arapahoe. She was a member of the American Legion Auxillary of Arapahoe, Nebraska. Vera enjoyed getting out and doing many things such as bowling, fishing, & golfing. She also loved playing cards, bingo, playing shuffle board and following the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Storm Hockey as well as Warrior sports. Vera enjoyed being in the kitchen baking and canning. She was especially known for her tomato juice and her banana cream pies. Most of all her favorite time was to be with family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kelley Gates, 5 brothers, and 1 sister. She is survived by her daughters: Deanna (DeDe) Schroder & husband Don of Arapahoe, Nebraska Shirley Rehder & husband Terry of Overland Park, Kansas Patricia Day of Arapahoe, Nebraska Cynthia Thomas & Gerald of Arapahoe, Nebraska Shelley O’Dowd & husband Mark of Independence, Missouri Sons: Patrick Gates & wife Deb of Friend, Nebraska Michael Gates of Texas Grandchildren: 21 Great-Grandchildren: 30 Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing and visitation will be Tuesday, January 14, 2014 from 10 AM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home, Arapahoe, Nebraska and prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church, in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Rev. James Moshier, officiating. Interment will be at Arapahoe Cemetery at Arapahoe, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to the CA Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.