Major Gates

Hastings resident, Major T. Gates, 84, of 1003 N. Jefferson, passed on to his next life on November 10, 2004 at Haven Home, Kenesaw, Nebraska.

Rosary will be Sunday, November 14, 2004; 5:30 P.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 15, 2004; 10:00 A.M. at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Father Michael Houlihan officiating. Burial will be at 3:30 P.M. at St. Anselm's Cemetery, Anselmo, Nebraska.

Mr. Gates was born March 10, 1920 in Broken Bow, Nebraska to Major R. & Eleanor (Gilligan) Gates. He graduated from Milburn High School, Milburn, Nebraska. He was raised on a ranch near Milburn, Nebraska. He married Helen B. Turner on January 21, 1939 in North Platte, Nebraska and together they raised six children. For most of his life, he worked for Farmer's Union Co-op in Sargent, Anselmo and Venango, Nebraska. After moving to Hastings in 1969, he worked at Southern Hills Golf Course and the Crosier Monastery before retiring. A man of faith, Major was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church for 35 years. His family remembers with great pleasure, the gentle person who was a husband, father, neighbor and friend. He took delight in working outdoors, in local wildlife, gardening and in cooking, during his retirement years. He centered his life around his family, loved telling stories and teaching everyday things to the children in his life. If anyone were to have met Major, they would know he deeply cared about people and treated everyone with respect. He was clever with conversation and had a great sense of humor. Major was a good man with a great heart.

Mr. Gates was preceded in death by his parents, three children, a son Gary Gates, and two daughters, Greta Kohl Pracht and Linda A. Gates.

Survivors include,
Wife: Helen Gates - Hastings, NE
Daughters: Janice Kieborz -Omaha, NE
JoEllen Carlos - Sugar Land, TX
Marliese Mohlman - Hastings, NE
11 Grandchildren: Tracy Hensley Dan Kieborz
Charles Pracht Jason Gates
Leanna Lukas Tara Pracht
Greg Gates Renee Hess
Joseph Mohlman, Adam Mohlman
Jessica Mohlman
14 Great Grandchildren: Michael Hensley, Ryan Hensley
Kelsey Kieborz, Kyle Kieborz
Justin Lukas, Jenna Lukas
Chelsey Kohl Shaddrick Gates
Zachariah Wood, Jacob Wood
Jenica Mohlman, Cistine Gates
Eliese Mohlman, Carmen Gates
Sister: Frances Barhite - Clinton, IA
3 Nephews: Sidney Troxel
Keith Troxel
David Troxel
2 Nieces:Keitha Herington
Deb Stange
Many cousins and friends

Memorial may be given to Alzheimer's Association

VISITATION: Sat. 11-13-04; 1pm-9pm
Sun. 11-14-04; 1pm-9pm
Mon. 11-15-04; 1 hr. prior to service at the church