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Myra Gates Obituary
Des Moines
Myra Gates, 79, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at McLaren's Chapel with burial at Resthaven Cemetery.
Myra was born February 26, 1935 in Keokuk, IA to Myron and Cecil (Summers) Davis. She lived in Des Moines for 47 years and was a Closer for Iowa Realty. Myra was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she was a Deacon and a Stephen's Minister. She enjoyed reading, gardening and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Myra is survived by her four children, Bruce (Karen) Gates, Jay (Linda) Gates, Jill (Bob) Madonia and Tim (Stephanie) Gates all of Des Moines; sixteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and sister, Donna (Louis "Bud") Betts of Keokuk. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Gates; a grandson, Christopher; sister, Betty McKinley and brother, Richard Davis.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at McLaren's Chapel. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Central Iowa.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Myra Gates
Joan Gerding
January 8, 2015
I didn't know - Myra and I kept in touch off and on through all the years after I moved away from DM. She was such a wonderful friend and such a kind lady. Comfort to her family, who were so important in her life.
Clayton Murphy
August 19, 2014
Myra was so kind to my Mom. She would visit Mom at Scottish Rite Park but always her last visit because they would start talking and the time would fly. I would hear about the visit from Mom the next time we spoke and from Myra the following Sunday at church. Bless you, Myra, for taking time with Mom. She looked forward to your visit so very much and she will miss them now that you are with God.
Kellie Johnson
August 13, 2014
Myra's face always lit up when she talked about her family and whenever she saw children walk in the door of the church. She loved reaching out and welcoming the little children, with whom she said she identified because she wasn't much bigger than them. She will be missed.
Deb Partee (Schaffer)
August 12, 2014
Myra was a wonderful lady. I worked with her for many years at First Realty and Midland Escrow. She was an awesome mother and grandmother, and certainly will be missed. God Bless.
D. (Isaiah 25:8) Andrews
August 11, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Alyssa Ashe
August 11, 2014
Myra was such a nice lady! When I was growing up, she was one of the "neighborhood Moms". My thoughts are with her children and their families.
Jo Kline Cebuhar
August 11, 2014
The summer of 1969 I worked for Myra and Floyd at their Windsor Heights Dairy Queen. It was the absolutely best job I ever had--they were wonderful people to work for--my first "real" job. Then I worked with Myra again at Iowa Realty. God bless them both.
Ruth Kenney-Randolph
August 11, 2014
Myra was such a friendly person who was a regular greeter at Westminster. She had a ready smile and you felt she was genuinely glad to see you. She will be missed.
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Funeral services provided by:
McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery801 19th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
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