Aloha Wilmeta Gates

May 3, 1930--Nov. 10, 2010

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas -- Aloha Wilmeta Gates, 80, passed away Wednesday (Nov. 10, 2010), in Overland Park, Kansas.

Aloha was born on May 3, 1930, in Palisade, Nebraska, to Lyle and Geraldine Gage.

Aloha was married in Palisade on Dec. 25, 1948, to Darwin Leigh Gates. They made their first home in Palisade after Darwin completed barber school in Omaha, Nebraska. They then moved to Grant, Nebraska in 1953, and lived there until 1960 when Darwin's job took them to Syracuse, Nebraska. They then moved to Franklin, Nebraska in 1961.

Aloha worked at the Rite Way Grocery Store for almost 20 years. After many years in Nebraska, they moved to Kansas City in 1982. Aloha began working at the American Bank in Kansas City, Missouri in 1982 and retired from the bank in 1991.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church.

In June of 2008, Aloha returned to Palisade to attend her high school class reunion of 1948. This was an absolute joy for Mom as she was reunited with all but a couple of her graduating class. Mom had so many fond memories of her childhood, friends and family while growing up in Palisade which she cherished so very much and talked about often.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle and Geraldine Gage; husband, Darwin Gates of 54 years; and step-brother, Leigh Gage.

She is survived by two sons, Terry and wife, Barb Gates of Kansas City, and David and wife, Lesa Gates of Parkville, Missouri; daughter, Christina, and husband Steven Shinners of Stillwell, Kansas; three grandsons, Seth Gates, David William Gates and Austin Gates; two granddaughters, Summer Shinners and Olivia Gates; one great-grandson Hagan Gates; and three step-brothers, Norman Gage, Keith Gage and Roger Gage.

Visitation and memorial services are Sunday,1-3 p.m., at Mount Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes, Kansas City, MO 64131.

In lieu of flowers, and because of her infinite love for children and animals, Aloha requested stuffed animals be collected at her service for donation to Children's Mercy Hospital or a that a donation be made to Wayside Waifs Inc. of Kansas City in her memory.