Mildred Martha Gates

Millie Gates (86) of Gretna/Waterloo passed away on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Gretna Living Center. She was born in Center, NE (Knox County) on April 17, 1932. Millie was the 10th of 13 children born to Ernest & Martha (Menkins) Stout. She is survived by one brother, Irvin Stout of Decker, IN. Millie leaves behind 4 children: Stan (Cheryle) Peterson, Yutan, NE, John (Karen) Peterson, Phoenix, AZ, (Larry) Sheila Berls, McCook, NE and (Mike) Holly Distefano, Brownsville, TX; 11 grandchildren: Shandi McConnell, Heather Berls, Brooke Seller, Amber Berls, Amy Iske, Sarah Holst, Jerry Peterson, April Lupien, Amberly Peterson, Gina Villarreal, Jacqueline Legrande; and 26 great grandchildren: Skylyn, Myles, Lennon, Nola, Lindy Jameson, Brandon, Jace, Wesley, Ayden, Katelyn, Micheal, Olivia, Johnathan, McKenna, Joshua, Summer, Haven, Nicolas, Willow, Dalton, Jeremiah, Isabelle, Rudy, Mia, Alexandra. Millie is preceded in death by brothers: Vern, Willard, Everett, Edward, Richard, Clifford, Ira and sisters: Florence Raff, Luella Stebbins, Leona Hasenpflug & Eva Stout. Millie had a lifetime love for flowers; her poppies were the most beautiful flowers. She also was generous to many people whether needing a ride to church on Sunday or needing a helping hand; she volunteered where needed and always made sure her favorite younger brother (aka her chauffeur) made it to the Stout Family reunions. Millie looked forward to the reunions every year and always brought a lot of food. In 2013, she enjoyed the tropical-themed Stout reunion, which was well attended, held in Waterloo at the Firebarn. This was the last reunion held and the last time she & her remaining siblings were together. She loved talking with people, whether it was chatting with someone she just met or reminiscing with those she had known for years. Weekly phone conversations with her sisters could easily last an hour. Millie loved going out to eat with family, with Red Lobster being one of her favorite restaurants. Once at a Red Lobster, the server placed down one plate at a time, with each time, Millie responding, “Oh, that looks good!” and “That looks even better.” When her plate was served, she said, “But mine looks best!” She always voted and was very educated and strong in her political convictions. Millie loved going on vacations. Her last vacation was to attend her granddaughter (Brooke's) wedding in NC, and she made her way through the airports without a problem; then later, she made another trip to stay with Holly in Brownsville, TX. Millie enjoyed Brownsville’s pleasant weather and spending time with Holly’s family. While living much of her younger life in poverty, Millie’s life changed once she was hired at Western Electric. She worked for Western Electric (Avaya) for 33 years and finally retired when they offered a buyout. In retirement, she had greater freedom to enjoy things she wanted, and she paid it forward in her generosity to others. Millie loved shopping and mall walking. Her hair was an important part of her appearance; she grew up in an era where it was common for women to go to the beauty salon weekly. Mom loved reading the Omaha World-Herald, USA today and magazines up until her passing. Millie always made sugar cookies at Christmas time and we got to decorate them with all types of fun sprinkles & frosting. The cookies were hard as rocks but still a fun memory. Holly still has the patterns for these Xmas shaped cookies. Millie never drove until she decided in her forties she would take driving lessons, and she never stopped driving until she went to the nursing home. Thank you for celebrating Millie's life with us today. Please plant a pretty flower in her memory.

Mildred Martha Gates

April 17, 1932 - October 26, 2018