Patricia Gates-Lee Obituary

Patricia A. Gates-Lee, 88, passed away June 14, 2025, surrounded by her family. Visitation will be held from 10-11am, Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Iles Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Road, Des Moines. The funeral service will follow beginning at 11am. Interment will be at Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines. A lunch reception will be held at 1pm, Saturday, at the home of Paul and Amy Gates, 12410 Prairie Drive, Urbandale, IA, 50323.

Patricia was born on the hottest day of the century, August 10, 1936, in Charles City, Iowa to Clair and Helen (Blunt) McCoy. She grew up in Des Moines and was a border at St. Joseph’s Academy, from the age of 3 until age 12. She graduated from North High School in 1954. While in high school, she met H. Dean Gates. They were married on May 28, 1955, and raised five children in Des Moines. They created the life Pat always dreamed of - a large family. Dean passed away February 22, 1987.

Patricia was a lifelong volunteer and was always willing to help anyone. Over the years, she organized parties for the mentally disabled, was a community telephone counselor with the suicide and crisis hotlines, hosted children in need, helped with the Christian Youth Organization, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc., Lutheran Church of Hope and many more.

On August 10, 1994, she was united in marriage to William R. “Bill” Lee. They lived in Urbandale and had fun traveling, fishing and spending time with all the grandchildren. Bill passed away May 31, 2017. Her beloved dog, Fritz, the second, came into her life shortly after.

Patricia is survived by her children, Lisa (Mike) Carroll, Christopher (Liana) Gates, Mark Gates, Paul (Amy) Gates and Barbara McCoy-Burke; grandchildren, Brett (Kelly) Carroll, Ashley (Joshua) Hendryx, Kelsey (Kody) Schuckman, Joshua Counter, Patricia Gates- Almanza, Christopher Gates-Almanza, C.C. Mathieu, Sophia Gates and Thomas Gates; 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Maria Fernanda Gates-Almanza.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.

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