Duane 'Butch' Gates

DUANE "BUTCH" GATES

Douds

Duane "Butch" Gates, 80,

of Douds, passed away Jan. 27, 2020, at his home. He was born Aug. 10, 1939, near Kilburn in rural Van Buren County to Ray and Lula Schleeter Gates. He lived his entire life in Van Buren County. He attended rural country schools and graduated from Douds/Leando High School with the Class of 1958. He was united in marriage to Dixie Knecht at Zion Bible Church on Sept. 5, 1959. They just recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. Together, Butch and Dixie raised four children, Diana, Debbie, Randy and Teresa.

Butch was a farmer and worked for the Iowa DOT. He was a member of the Zion Bible Church, the Van Buren County Fair board, Cattleman's Association, served on the board of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, trustee chairman for Lick Creek Township and ASC Farm Services board member. He was an AWANA leader and served as the church treasurer for 20 years. Butch was an avid hunter. He enjoyed hunting deer and coyotes among other things. Butch will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Dixie; four children, Diana (Jamie) Williams of Ottumwa, Debbie Gates of Winnemucca, Nev., Randy (Elizabeth) Gates of Douds and Teresa (Brent) Burkhalter of Keosauqua; four grandsons, Sky Armstrong, Kenny (Macayla) Burkhalter, Cullin Gates and Colton Gates; two great-grandchildren, Logan and Chloe Burkhalter; two step-grandsons, Adam (Lisa) Burkhalter and Michael (Courtney) Burkhalter; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Keaton and Kelsey Burkhalter; a sister, Irene Topping of Keosauqua; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Lula Gates; and siblings, Ruth Plowman, Clarence "Bud" Gates and Frances Tedrow.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at Zion Bible Church in Douds with Pastor Phil Ross officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will open at noon Sunday, Feb. 2, with family present to greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua.

Memorial contributions in Butch's honor may be directed to the Zion Bible Church, EveryStep Hospice of Mount Pleasant and Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences may be directed to www.pedrickfuneralhome.com.