Mildred E. Gates

In Loving Memory of Mildred E. Gates February 20, 1919 ~ August 23, 2012 Mildred E. (Hurst) (Major) Gates, 93, a resident of East Wenatchee, WA, passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 23, 2012. Mildred was born and raised at Waitts Lake, WA, the only daughter of eight children born to Robert and Mabel Kenney. As a girl growing up among the boys, she learned to be independent and spunky, which served her well through her years. In her younger days, she loved to dance and ride her pinto pony. She taught herself to sew and became an expert seamstress. She fashioned wonderful dresses for her daughter and made Western shirts for her sons and grandsons. She was a great cook. She crocheted beautifully and made many lovely ceramics. She was an enthusiastic gardener and found delight in tending to her flowers. Mildred married Fred Hurst in 1937, but was widowed in 1946. At the time of Fred's sudden death, she was nine months pregnant with a son, Fred, and they had an eight year-old daughter, Bunnie. In 1949, she married John "Bub" Major. They made their home in Coulee City, WA and had one son, Barry. After their divorce, Mildred met Don Gates. They married in 1962, making their home in Coulee City, WA. They adopted a daughter, Dawn Marie, and later moved to Cheney, WA. In 1985, Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Through Mildred's strength and loving devotion, she managed as Don's caregiver for 15 years, until his passing on Christmas Eve, 2004. In 2001, Mildred moved to East Wenatchee to be close to friends and family. She enjoyed her home, reading and following the Seattle Mariners. She leaves behind a wealth of memories and will be missed by many. Mildred is survived by her daughter, Bunnie (Dale) Louk of East Wenatchee, WA; her sons, Fred (Linda) Hurst of East Wenatchee, WA and Barry Major of Chewelah, WA; an adopted daughter, Dawn Marie Gates of Spokane, WA; two brothers, Irvin (Charlotte) Kenney of Cusick, WA and Marshall (Dorothy) Kenney of Coeur d'Alene, ID; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life for Mildred will be held on Friday, September 14, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. at the Ephrata Cemetery, 333 E Street S.W., with Pastor Kurt Johnson officiating. Following the Service, a luncheon will be served at Don's Restaurant in Soap Lake, WA. Please sign the online guestbook and share your thoughts and memories of Mildred at www.telfordschapel.com. Arrangements are assisted by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.