Ralph W. Gates, 89, of Hutchinson, died April 13, 2006, at Dillon Living Center, Hutchinson,

He was born Aug. 21, 1916, at Papillion, Neb., the son of Harry Edward and Gertrude Harriet Lenser Gates. He was a resident of Lyons from 1963 until moving to Hutchinson in 2002. He was a graduate of Omaha South High School and was a compressor operator for Northern Natural Gas of Bushton, retiting in 1979.

He attended Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson, and belonged to Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

On Nov. 24, 1945, he married Mary G. Flanagan in Omaha, Neb. She survives.

Other survivors include: four sons, Lawrence C., Overland Park, Robert D., Winfield, Ralph W., Jr., Houston, and James E., Hutchinson; a daughter, Mary Jane Weil, Flower Mound, Texas; Michael Flanagan, Chandler, Ariz.; two brothers, Royal C. and Edward, both of Papillion, Neb.; 13 Grandchildren; and a great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Lois J. Gates.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson, with Father Joseph Eckburg presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be sent to Church of the Holy Cross or to the American Heart Association, both in care of the mortuary.