Elaine Gates, 86, of Redfield, SD, died Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Golden Living Center in Redfield. Her funeral will be Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational UCC Church in Redfield. Reverend Tim Fugman and Pastor Chad Bergjord will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Visitation, with the family present, will be Monday from 5-7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Elaine Jeanette Gates was born January 14, 1927, to Clare and Sarah Cunningham in Bismarck, ND. She was raised in Redfield and graduated in 1944. Prior to her graduation, she was crowned Redfield's first Homecoming Queen. The following year it was her honor to crown her sister Deloris.

Elaine and high school sweetheart Bob Gates were married in her parents' living room, Oct 8, 1946, upon his return from serving in the United States Army in Germany. To this union 4 children were born. Elaine was a homemaker raising her children and assisting her parents as well as Bob's parents. She wrote Redfield news for the Huron Daily Plainsman until all their children were in school. She enjoyed working for John Solheim at the V-Store for a few years until starting at Stacey Drug. She proudly was in charge of the card department for over 23 years.

Elaine was very active in her local, district and state VFW Auxiliary. A member of United Church of Christ, she taught Sunday school for many years. She enjoyed playing Bingo, watching finches and TV game shows. The highlight of her life was her children, 9 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters: Mickey (Doyle) Harms of Redfield and Sheila (Jerry) Van Voorst of Sioux Center, IA and her son David (Lori) Gates of Sioux Falls. Sisters include Francelle Hoffman of San Marcos, CA; Deloris Anderson of St. Louis Park, MN and Pat (Ed) Ackerson of Aberdeen, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob in 1992 and her son Randy in 1996.