Karen Gates

Normal - Karen J. Gates, 77, of Normal, passed away at 4:44 a.m. on Monday, September 3, 2018 at her residence.

A memorial service will be at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the memorial home. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Humane Society of Central Illinois.

Karen was born on January 7, 1941 in Peoria, Illinois, a daughter to Floyd and Evelyn Finnestad Estep. She married David Gates on March 5, 1960 in Fairbury, Illinois.

Surviving is her loving husband of 58 years, David Gates of Normal; daughters, Gwen (Dan) Freese of Normal, Pam (Carl) Toohill of Leroy, Beth (Carl) Sayre of Madison, AL and Vickie (Jay) Peters of Chenoa; fifteen grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Karen was employed for 15 years at GTE and later for 10 years at State Farm Insurance, retiring in 2007.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Bloomington.

Karen loved her family dearly and always put them first. She enjoyed sewing, bowling, photography and was an avid stock car racing fan.

Karen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be greatly missed.

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Visitation

SEP 6. 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CDT)

Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home
1104 N. Main St.
Bloomington, IL 61701

Memorial Service

SEP 6. 6:00 PM (CDT)

Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home
1104 N. Main St.
Bloomington, IL 61701

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