Ruth Frances Gates

Ruth F. Gates, 92, of La Porte City, Iowa, died at Cedar Falls Health Care Center on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 of natural causes.

Ruth Frances Bellinger was born April 15, 1917 in rural La Porte City, Iowa, daughter of Ralph and Eva Axtell Bellinger. She graduated from La Porte City High School in 1934.

Ruth married Donald Elgin Gates on November 25, 1936 in Independence, Iowa. He died November 3, 1990.

She and her husband farmed in Benton County on his family’s Century Farm until 1966 when they moved to La Porte City. Then for several years Ruth did interior decorating, hanging wallpaper, painting, etc. She enjoyed quilting and grew beautiful African violets.

Ruth was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in La Porte City and a former member of Rebekah Club.

She is survived by her son James (Lavola) Gates of Hudson, Iowa; daughter Patricia Bienfang of St. Francis, Minnesota; son Gary (Judy) Gates of La Porte City, Iowa; ten grandchildren; and several great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother and sister.