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Elaine Jeanette Gates was born Jan. 14, 1927, to Clare and Sarah Cunningham in Bismarck, N.D. She was raised in Redfield and graduated in 1944. Prior to her graduation, she was crowned Redfield's first Homecoming Queen. The following year, it was her honor to crown her sister, Deloris.
Elaine and high school sweetheart, Bob Gates, were married in her parents' living room on Oct 8, 1946, upon his return from serving in the U.S. Army in Germany. To this union, four children were born. Elaine was a homemaker, raising her children and assisting her parents as well as Bob's parents. She wrote Redfield news for the Huron Daily Plainsman until all their children were in school. She enjoyed working for John Solheim at the V-Store for a few years, until starting at Stacey Drug. She proudly was in charge of the card department for over 23 years.
Elaine was very active in her local, district and state VFW Auxiliary. A member of United Church of Christ, she taught Sunday school for many years. She enjoyed playing bingo, watching finches and TV game shows. The highlight of her life was her children, nine grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughters: Mickey (Doyle) Harms of Redfield and Sheila (Jerry) Van Voorst of Sioux Center, Iowa; her son, David (Lori) Gates of Sioux Falls; sisters: Francelle Hoffman of San Marcos, Calif.; Deloris Anderson of St. Louis Park, Minn.; and Pat (Ed) Ackerson of Aberdeen.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob, in 1992; and her son, Randy, in 1996.