Larry Gates, 66

Oct. 21, 1950

 June 8, 2017

 

Lime Springs -  Larry Dean Gates of Lime Springs, Iowa passed away at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. on Thursday, June 8, 2017.

Per Larry’s request, there will be a private family burial. All family and friends are invited to a celebration of life for him on Saturday, June 17 at Lime Springs Fish and Game Club from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Lindstrom Funeral Home handled the arrangements. 

Larry was born in Decorah, Iowa on Oct. 21, 1950 to Donald and Jeanette (Andersen) Gates. He grew up on a farm in the Kendallville, Iowa area and attended country schools there through seventh grade. He often talked of fun times and still kept in touch with many he attended country school with. Larry graduated from Crestwood High School in Cresco, Iowa in 1968. Following graduation he attended college at Rochester Community College and then served in the Navy. 

Larry married Charlene Tienter in Cherry Grove, Minn. on Nov. 6, 1976. They were blessed with two children, Ericka and Corey. 

In 1980 he and his wife purchased the Rendezvous Lounge in Lime Springs and operated it for 14 years. That same year they purchased the big old brick house on the corner where they still live. 

Larry was an excellent accountant and did books for numerous businesses including Lime Springs Building Center, Lime Springs Co-op, LeRoy Auto Clinic and Lime Springs City Clerk. He also was treasurer for many local organizations over the years.

Anyone who knew Larry knew he had a good work ethic and was very organized. He was very punctual and expected that of others as well. Routine was a must for Larry, and he was an early-to-bed and early-to-rise person. In his spare time, Larry enjoyed washing his vehicles, shopping for clothes or sitting on his front porch at his post watching the traffic and visiting with those walking by. 

In retirement, Larry took an interest in growing hostas and quickly filled up any shady part of their yard with them. He was a member of the Shades of Green Hosta Society of Minnesota. He also participated daily in an Internet flower chat board.

Larry always felt blessed to have his children and grandkids so close by to enjoy and watch them grow up. Family was very important to him. He will be remembered for his witty sense of humor and his contagious laugh.

Larry is survived by his wife, Charlene; daughter, Ericka (Dustin Panos) Rice of Cresco and Corey (Melissa) Gates of Lime Springs;. grandsons, Kyle (Morgan Bergan) Rice, Devan Gates, Jarrett Rice and Caden Gates; two granddaughters, Brandi Rice and Makayla Gates; two brothers, Richard (Carol) Gates of Cresco and David (Hazel) Gates of Colorado; one sister, Donna (Roger) Foote of Lime Springs; and one aunt, Ilene Anderson of Harmony Minn. There are many nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss Larry, especially two close cousins that he kept in touch with daily via Internet, Martha (Jerry) Karsnia of International Falls, Minn. and Kathy (Bruce) Fishbaugher of Preston, Minn.