Ann Evelyn Gates

Ann Evelyn Stromberg Gates, 101 years old, passed on November 14, 2012 at Community Nursing
Home in Anaconda. Eleven hours before she would be 102. Ann was born November 15, 1910 in Chicago, IL, then the family moved to Aberdeen, WA. When Ann was 6 years old, her family moved to Anaconda. John and Hilma (Christopherson) Stromberg moved into a home on Elm Street and later
1202 East 5th Street. She attended Anaconda schools, loved to run, hike, play games and most of all
her family and friends. On December 1, 1934 she married Edward F."Ted" Gates and later divorced.
The family lived in Opportunity until 1943 when she and her four children moved to Anaconda.
Her children meant everything to her, and were raised with great love and pride. She worked at the Assessor's Office, Deer Lodge County Court House for 16 years for Larry Brennan and at Larson's
Grocery Store for 7 years with Pete and Brooks Larson. She was a hardworking, loving mother, and
her children respected and loved her dearly. Due to poor vision caused by Macular Degeneration,
the past 17 years have been difficult. She always worked crossword puzzles, played bridge, and
other cards, read, crocheted, watched TV, loved cooking, baking but, she was no longer able to
enjoy those activities. She never complained and always made the best of what she could see, not
of what she would not see. She never drove a car so she walked everywhere, to work, at Court House home for lunch, back to work and home again. She never was on medications until she fell and broke
her hip on February 28, 2007 and entered the nursing home. She always took good care of herself.
She suffered two broken hips and a shoulder.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, John and Hilma Stromberg, sister Esther Pearson, brother-in-
law Irving C. Pearson, brothers Arthur, Alfred, and John (Agnes) Stromberg, daughter Carolyn Jean
Gates Johnson, son-in-law Wayne Hansen, cousins Harold Swanson, Olga Jepsen.

She is survived by her loving daughter Marilyn Gates Hansen, Cupertino, CA., sons Richard Gates
Missoula, Mt., Gary Gates, Campbell, CA., brother Walter (Betty Jane)Stromberg, Helena, MT.
grandson Sterling(DeeDee) Hansen, granddaughter Stacey (Guy) Hansen Mitchell, great-grandsons
Finn Matthew and Liam Forrest Mitchell, Santa Cruz, CA., grandson Duane (Liz) Johnson, great-grandchildren Kaitlin and Mason Johnson, grandsons Greg and Russell Johnson, Southern CA.,
and Don Jepsen, Modesto, CA. Many dear nieces and nephews. Her dear caregivers Gladys Ruane,
Pat McCabe, and Mary Carol Radonich who took such loving special care of our dear mom. We
appreciate Mary Carol for all she has done, she holds a special place in our lives. Lifetime friends
and second daughters Delores Kovacich Forsman, Dillon, MT, Jean Given Bacon, Kalispell, MT.
All the wonderful staff at the Anaconda Community Nursing Home, for all their love and help. We
appreciate everyone who helped make our mom's 100th and 101 birthday a special memory. We are
forever grateful. Mom always sang songs and rhymes to everyone. She brought smiles and laughter
to all who knew her.

Mom always enjoyed going to the Washoe Park with Katie Kostelecky to feed the ducks, fish, and
look at the beautiful flowers, especially the begonia houses.

Christmas time 2005, her granddaughter Stacey surpised the family by flying her to California. She
stood on Marilyn's doorstep with a Big red bow on her head, what a wonderful surprise gift for the whole family, we had a Christmas to remember. She stayed a month, she had such a wonderfull
sense of humor and wit, never a dull moment. She will be sadly missed, we love her so much, she brought so much love and joy into our lives. She will be in our hearts forever and forever be missed.
She went to heaven to celebrate her 102 birthday with Our Lord.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Washoe Park Foundation, P.O. Box 1139, Anaconda, Mt. 59711, or the Community Nursing Home Foundation of Anaconda, 615 Main St., Anaconda, MT. 59711 or one of your choice.