Anastasia Gates Obituary

ANASTASIA "ANN" M. GATES
July 2, 1926 - December 8, 2010

Anastasia "Ann" M. Gates of Vancouver, WA, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2010 with Dillard H. Gates, her loving husband of nearly 65 years at her side. Ann was born July 2, 1926 in the small farming community of Anselmo, Nebraska to Charles and Anna Mohatt. Ann grew up on a farm with her 8 brothers and sisters and graduated from Broken Bow High School in Broken Bow, Nebraska in 1944.
Shortly there-after, Ann moved to Los Angeles where she contributed to the war effort as a riveter during construction of P-52 Mustang Aircraft. Following the war, Ann returned to Nebraska to await the return of her high school sweet heart and love of her life from the South Pacific. On January 27, 1946 Ann and Dillard were married in Broken Bow, Nebraska.
Ann was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and lived in Vancouver, WA since 1986 when Dillard retired from Oregon State University. While living in the Washington D.C. area in the late 1970s, Ann returned to school and earned her Associates of Arts Degree with Honors from Northern Virginia Community College. Ann greatly enjoyed sewing, reading, and travel with her husband. Ann also was a long time member of Catholic Daughters and active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and "Nana" never missed attending the many dance performances, sporting events, choir, and band concerts in which they participated.
Ann is survived by her husband, Dillard; her two sons, Howe (his wife LeeAnn), Charles; and grandchildren, Laura, Gregory, and Allison Gates, all of Vancouver, WA. Ann is also survived by her sisters, Mary Schmitz, Charlene Bendig, and Joan Hammond.
Ann was preceded in death by her father and mother; brothers, Carl and Xavier Mohatt; and sisters, Francis McCarthy, Ernestine Hickey, and Patricia Dowark.
There will be a Funeral Mass for Ann on Thursday, December 16th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 400 S Andresen Rd, Vancouver, WA 98661 (360.696.4407).
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dillard H. Gates and Anastasia M. Gates Scholarship in care of the: Oregon State University Foundation, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
(541.737.2421).
The family wishes to express special thanks to the caring staff at the Glenwood Place Assisted Living and Memory Care facility in Vancouver, WA for their kindness and loving care provided to Ann during her final months and days.
Please sign Ann's guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.