Jolene Gates, 79, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at her home in rural Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, October 11, 2012 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham; friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until time of service. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Hazelton, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. www.bauerfh.com.

Jolene was born September 7, 1933 in Hazelton, Kansas, the daughter of Marion and Gayle (Pfaff) Ballard. She married Carroll Dean Gates on August 10, 1950 and he preceded her in death in 2005. Jolene was a homemaker, farmer's wife, high school teacher in Kansas and also a minister. She was involved with the Love and Life Ministry based in Sikeston, Missouri.

Jolene is survived by her son, Jeffrey Lynn (Karly) Gates of Manhattan, MT; daughter, Dorothy Marie (Mike) McCallick of Lawton, OK; sister, Mary Ann Clark of Lakewood, CA; four grandchildren, four step grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Jolene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carroll and two brothers.