Martha Lea Gates

Martha Lea "Mardee" Gates entered into the arms of Jesus on May 4, 2024. Born November 27, 1934 to Charles Franklin and Myrilla Wallace in the tiny community of Rocklyn, Washington, she grew up on small farms in Northeast Washington, the youngest of three sisters. Mardee graduated from Newport High School in 1952 and attended Eastern Washington State College until finances forced her to move into the business world full time.
While working for the accounting firm of Randall Emery in Spokane, Mardee attended the Methodist Church located on 3rd Avenue (now the New Community Church), where she sang in the choir and met her husband of nearly 50 years, Wes Gates. Their love of God and music brought them together and they never stopped making music together!
Wes and Mardee were married on Friday, May 13, 1955 and soon after moved to South Florida and started their family. During their 10 year stay in South Florida, Mardee not only stayed busy raising her growing family, but worked as the personal secretary for several well-to-do South Florida matriarchs.
Deciding to move their family back to Northeast Washington in 1965, Wes and Mardee refurbished a U-Haul trailer, Wes fashioning a pull-out tent on the side, which the family camped in for the 3,000 mile trip across the country. They landed in Newport, Washington where they opened and ran a hobby and repair shop.
The Gates family moved to Colville in 1966 and Mardee went to work for Lyman Kinard at the Stevens County Credit Bureau and Collection Agency. She remained there until accepting the position of legal secretary for Robert D. Skidmore in 1974, where she worked until retiring in 1999.
Mardee loved raising and caring for her children and grandchildren, gardening and preserving her harvests, and singing. She was a mainstay of the Colville First Congregational Church (now UCC) choir under the direction of Betty Skidmore; sang with the Mountain Melodies Chorus of the Sweet Adelines for many years; and was asked to sing for many weddings, funerals and special occasions throughout the years.
Mardee was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley O. Gates. She is survived by her children, Douglas L. Gates, Chewelah; Jeanne L. Nixon (Brad), Addy; Ronald A. Gates (Jill), Omak; and Steven L. Gates (Jaymi), Colville; nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Mardee's life is an enduring example of great love, great sacrifice, and great joy. We miss you Mom!
A service will be held to celebrate her legacy on June 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Addy Outpost Church, 1393 Main Street, Addy, Washington, with lunch served after. Come share your stories of her life with us! Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Spokane. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.