Eleanor LaFern Gates, passed away quietly at 5:20 p.m., Jan. 25, 2018. She was 95 years old and a lifelong Kosciusko County resident.

Gates was born on Dec. 27, 1922, in North Webster and was one of three daughters born to George and Nellie (Mock) Tenney. She would graduate from North Webster High School and was married to Howard Kenneth Gates on Oct. 6, 1940. Together they shared nearly 65 years before his death Dec. 27, 2004.

Gates enjoyed writing and was a giving, caring mother with unrivaled patience. She had a sharp sense of humor and was known as a talented cook and baker. She was a prize-winning quilter and was twice awarded Grand Champion for her talents. She enjoyed gardening, tending to her flower gardens into her 90s, and had always grown vegetables which she canned for her family.

Although many were touched by the life of Eleanor Gates, she is survived by two daughters: Diana (husband, David) Reinhart and Teresa Steffen, both of Pierceton; three sons: Philip (wife, Sybil) Gates of Warsaw; Chris (wife, Connie) Gates of Warsaw; and Curtis (wife, Linda) Gates of New Albany; and her grandchildren: Angie Oler of Warsaw; Gabe Gates of Warsaw; Mark Gates of Liberty Center; Monica Rarick of Bremen; Ginger Ott of Fort Wayne; Travis Gates of Portland, Ore.; and Matt Gates of Nashville, Tenn. She is also survived by 11 great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Howard, Eleanor was preceded in death by her two sisters and brothers-in-law: Donna (Ralph) Konkle and Marjorie (Gerald) LaRue.

Friends may gather at Titus Funeral Home for a time of visitation from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 30. A funeral which celebrates Gates’ life will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Reverend Michael Barnes of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Warsaw will officiate the service and the graveside committal which follows in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.

To send condolences or share memories and photos, please visit Eleanor’s Tribute Wall at www.TitusFuneralHome.com