Ralph E. Gates, of Waukesha, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loving family at Zilber Hospice on Friday, April 6, 201,2 at the age of 87 years.
Ralph was born in Stevens Point on Dec. 14, 1924, the son of Stephen and Eleanor Gates. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. Ralph married Alice (nee Yach) and they had five children together. Ralph was a member of the local VFW for many years and he was a dedicated member of St. William Catholic Church in Waukesha for more than 60 years. More than anything, Ralph loved spending time with his family.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Alice; his children, David (Donna) Gates of Libertyville, IL, Darryl (Sue) Gates of Springfield, MO, Dean (Kathy) Gates of Wauwatosa, WI and Dana Gates of Waukesha, WI; his six grandchildren, Alex, Katie, Morgan, Megan, Laura and Deborah; his nine great-grandchildren; his brother, Harvey (Louise) Gates of Minneapolis, MN; and many family and friends. Ralph was preceded in death by his son, Daniel; brother, Sherman; and sister, Jasmine.
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A visitation for Ralph will be from 5 p.m. until the 7 p.m. vigil service on Sunday, April 15, A second visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, April 16, at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188. Full military honors will take place at the church with the burial immediately following at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Waukesha.
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