Obituary - Elizabeth Mae Gates

Elizabeth Mae Gates of Havre, 86, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Northern Montana Care Center.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Northern Montana Care Center's Grace Chapel with Ila McClenahan officiating.

Memorials in Elizabeth's name may be made to American Cancer Society; 1903 Central Ave., Billings, MT 59102 or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Elizabeth's online memorial page at http://www.hollandbonine.com and leave a message of condolence for her family.

Elizabeth was born on Aug. 14, 1931, in Ida Grove, Iowa, to Matthew and Jessie Mae (Hansen) Hall and was brought up on the family farm where they raised pigs. In 1949 she graduated from Galva Iowa High School, later moving to Sioux City to attend Ellis Beauty School where she received her degree in cosmetology.

Aug. 25, 1951. Elizabeth Mae Hall married Jack Merle Gates in Rhode Island, NY, and the couple had four children.

The family moved to Havre in 1976 when Jack stated work with Kmart, and she started as a housekeeper for Northern Montana Hospital. Elizabeth enjoyed sewing, gardening, crocheting and baking. She specialized in doilies and homemade noodles. Family was important to Elizabeth and she and Jack would often take the children camping and travel to see family, sometimes via Amtrak. She was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church for many years.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; brother, John Hall; son-in-law, Fred Heiney; and twin great-grandsons Lucas and Landon Gates.

She is survived by her children, Tonia Heiney of Williston, ND; Jack (Debrah) Gates Jr. of Danville, VA; and Mellisa (Tim) Bennett of Havre; sister, Marian Brosamle of Holstein, IA; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild with another on the way.