Margaret Mary Gates entered into eternal rest on Friday, November 14, 2025 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. She had fought a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma Cancer and subsequent complications.
She was born December 8, 1950 in St. Charles, MO to Edward and Agnes Eusterbrock Weber. She married William Gates on May 28, 1977 and he preceded her in death on July 10, 2015.
Margaret graduated from Northeast Missouri State University. She taught science at Albia High School from 1979 to 2014 when she retired.
She was a member of St. Mary of the Visitation, Catholic Daughters of Americas Adelaide Proctor 43, RCIA Director at St. Mary of the Visitation, Lector and Eucharistic Minister, St. Mary’s Alter and Rosary, Ugly Quilters and Family Life Committee. She was also a member of the Retired Science Teachers Association. She faithfully donated platelets at the Southern Iowa Blood Center and was a 43 gallon donor until she became ill. Margaret loved sewing, especially making quilts and pajamas for her daughter, Karen when she was a little girl. She loved attending mass and spending time with family.
Surviving are her 3 children, Karen (JR) Reiner, James Gates, Chayton Gates all of Ottumwa; step-grandson, Tyler (Kaylee) Reiner of Ottumwa; 2 sisters, Sharon (Jerry) Dreyer of Overland Park, KS and Elaine Trogen of Fulton, MO; 2 brothers, Ernest (Rita) Weber of Fulton, MO and Leonard Weber of Old Monroe, MO; a brother-in-law, Kurt (Cindi) Gates of Ottumwa; 3 sisters-in-law, Debbie (Mark) Lewis of Bend, OR, Kathy Gates, Neta Gates all of Ottumwa and Marilyn Weber of St. Charles, MO; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Gates; granddaughter, Anne Marie Shadwick; parents. Edward and Agnes Weber; brother, Thomas Weber; sister-in-law, Sherry Weber; brothers-in-law, Dave Trogen, Van Gates, Duane Gates and Greg Gates; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Helen and Harvey Gates.
Visitation will open after 11 a.m. Monday November 17th at Reece Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited followed by a Christian Wake service at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Her family will be present to greet friends following the service until 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday November 18th at St. Mary of the Visitation. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Parrish in Ottumwa.
