Loni Gates, 62, a resident of the Marblemount community, passed away at her home on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.
She was born in Berlin, Germany in 1949.
She spent much of her life in Oregon before moving to Marblemount in 2009.
Loni was very active in animal rights and animal rescue. Her home was a virtual barnyard with animals of all sorts that she had rescued.
She is survived by her children, Stephen Gates and Stephanie Gates, and their father, Stephen L. Gates, all living in Oregon, along with four grandchildren, Sean, Brittany, Jade & Mikayla. Her mother, Esther Weger; her brother & sister-in-law, Thomas & Heike Weger; and a niece, Vanessa, are abroad in Berlin, Germany.
Cremation was under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
A year ago today(Oct 25, 2012), I lost my mama…though I know she is in a better place, her loss still devastates me…My 40 th birthday, pending engagment and nuptials, new family to meet….new home….new life….
Missing Mama
© Claudia Lee
I awake each morning to start a new day
But the pain of loosing you never goes away.
I go about the things I have to do
And as the hours pass I think again of you.
I want to call you and just hear your voice
Then I remember that I have no choice
For you are not there and now my heart cries
Just to see you again to tell you goodbye
To say Mama I love you and I always will
And hope that much of you, in me you’ve instilled.
The day that you left I just didn’t know
That you were going where I couldn’t go.
And now all my memories of you are so dear
But gosh, how I miss you and wish you were here.
Who now can hear me when I need to cry?
It so hard to tell you “Mama goodbye.”
Someday I know all will be well
And I’ll see you again with stories to tell
Of how you were missed and how we have grown
And how good it is to finally be home.
Until then my memories of you I’ll keep near
And I’ll pass them on to those who are dear.
I miss you Mama, Stephanie
We were sad to find our friend Loni had passed away. She was a school friend from Berlin and while we were unpacking found the book on Oregon Steve and Loni had given us (1978). When we searched for her wanting to touch base after all these years we found this obituary. She was a dear and special friend and we will miss her greatly. Steve Sr. should you read this post, please contact us at Elke’s email address. Our most heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
I am saddened by the news that my (old) school friend from Berlin has passed on. There are too many memories from way back then to mention here. Yes, I agree with all of the comments I read above. Loni was one heck of a great human beingand friend.
Rest in peace.
This is for you, Loni
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there
I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle Autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds
In circled flight
I ama the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there
I did not die
Steve, -senior-, if you read this, please contact us at my email address.
Elke
When I think of Loni, I think of quiet snowy winters, huge dogs sleeping outside on the deck with snow piled high on them, early morning coffee and great food. Always sitting in her favorite spot behind the kitchen counter at the helm waiting to serve something yummy, while listening for a call on the ham radio from a distant friend. Always hip to what the young people are doing or saying, and easy to talk to about anything without being judged. She was my LaPine mom while I came to visit. I’m proud to call her that.
She could make a mean mix drink too!
I miss those days. I miss her. I wish I had more of them, but I cherish the few memories I have.
I’m lucky to have been a small part of her life.
I met Loni on the internet many many years ago.
She was known as “feechen” (faerie) in the various chats (netchat-city, schmooz, angel chat).
Over the years we became friends and she sent me photos of her kids and of course Pittiplatsch and the other cats and animals.
When live got harder on both sides we only phoned once every couple months.
Then came the day where i dialed her number and some stranger was on the phone and had no idea who Loni is.
Mails to the Red Cross and Fire Department in La Pine where not answered.
For years I kept trying to find her on the net to find out what happend, with no luck.
Today I googled again and found this page here and I am overwhelmed with sadness.
Loni was very special and I wished so much I had the chance to meet her in person.
Back then when I got my first apartment beside all the trouble she had in La Pine she even found a pair of cats here in vienna that needed a home and that i adopted.
Wherever she is now, I am sure she is with all the animals she loved so much and having a good time.
Because she always found hope and something to laff about, regardless of what came her way.
So sorry to read about Loni she was a very special person to everyone she knew we would go to thier house in LaPine and Allan,Mark ,Joe and Steve would jam alot.She will be missed by all.
I was friend’s with Steve and Stephanie and my dad also played music with there dad Steve and I remember going to the Gates house and it was fun going out petting all kinds of horses and the mini horses it was fun and Loni was always making sure who ever came to the house that thay felt comfortable. She was a funny and happy out going person and if you did something wrong she wasn’t affraid to tell you about it either Rest in peace Loni you will me missed very much
i met Loni in 2003 because of our interest in potbelly pigs, she had 4 and I have 2, she understood how potbelly pigs were and love them for that! but most important was she loved all animals and was a very giving person to all!
I will miss her !
Loni was like a second mom to a lot of us kids growing up in LaPine. When we need some answer, or just someone to talk with, she was there. She was like that bright light in everyones room, you know the one that I’m talking about. She would walk in to a room and just brighten it up. Loni always knew want to say, even if we (us HS Kids) were wrong. She always knew how to explain it to us, and tells us so. She would come to the Football games and talk with us, give us rides in her Jeep, YEAH, the one with the eyelash’s over the headlight. I met Loni for the first time when I joined the Fire Department in LaPine. Loni Always had something nice to say even in we were being stupid. I move out of my parents house when I was 17, although I had a place to live. She helped me through some pretty though times in my life, and thats what I remember the most. She was and is great lady. I joined the Navy right after HS, and moved overseas, so I never had a chance to say thank you.
Thank you Loni, thank you for being you.
Signed, just one of the many kids you hepled, Rick
Mrs. G
You will be missed by many just as you are loved my many. I remember many a days, nights and weekends spent at your house. You welcomed me with open arms when I first came to La Pine. You gave me words of encouragement to get passed all the new high school BS.
Steph I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. She was always so sweet to me. I have two great memories to share…First was when she taught me how to make German dumplings. I’m sure I’ll never do them justice. Second was dancing out in your yard with snow flakes coming down all around. The three of us must have been quit a sight out there. I’m so sorry for your loss…
A truly smart, talented and gifted woman! She was like German bread… tough on the outside… but warm and soft inside! She gave the gift to her children “The love of animals and small children.” Plus she gave a gift to Steph… how to make some dang good soup ! lol
Her home was always open for anyone. She made you feel comfortable and welcomed. First time I met her I got so drunk. She did tell me to slow down I might add, but of course I didn’t, so there I was outside by the tree vomiting my guts out. I should have known better! It was when I first started dating Stephanie…I was “trying” to show off. All Loni did was laugh at me “playfully” and tease me about the ham I brought…Teased the heck out of me! I loved it !!
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone. What will matter is the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.
I, loni, Loved you!
I knew Loni way back in the day from my parents. We would go over to her house and the adults would be downstairs playing card games and laughing and us kids would be upstairs causing trouble as usual. I will always remember her smiling in the kitchen, greeting all of us with warm hugs and then back to cooking and telling stories & always laughing. Thank you for being a part of my childhood – I will never forget you.
I met Loni as a young teenager. She was a very caring lady. What i remember the most is she loved her furry critters and her face always lit up when she was around them. You will be missed Loni and I am greatful i had the chance to know you.
I remember Loni Gates from when I was very young. She was a very kind woman, and sometimes I would help her inn that beautiful garden that I remember so well. Especially the mint leaves that made the best tea, the smell still makes me smile. God Bless This Family.
I have been friends of Stephanies, Loni’s daughter, since highschool. I spent so much time at the Gates home during that time that Loni referred to me as my Other Mother. One trip that we all took to Pendelton for the Round up was a hoot… We laughed until we cried on several occasions. She was always an advocate for animals and had a little farm, she was also a big supporter of our Veterans and took up great causes that made changes in Central Oregon for wheel chair access to businesses.
The Gates home was where all the “kids” wanted to be and a big part of that was the light Loni gave to us kids. Great food, fun times, and always a great ear to hear what was going on in our lives.
It has been a long time since those days, but I can still hear her laugh and see her in the kitchen, glass of wine in hand, something cooking on the stove, talking to the critters like family, and talking to the family like her very best friends. Miss you~
I will always treasure the day’s in LaPine with the entire Gates Family years have passed and times have changed Only if we had known then what we know now. Most of us are now saying things then looking over our shoulders becausen we sound just like our parents when talking to our kids.
We were in some of the best times of our life Steve and i got into trouble ….schocker I recall him crashing his dirt bike out front of my house and the only thing saving him was a can of chew in his pocket, My Dad (John) being friends with Steve and Loni of course ratted him out promptly. I also recall back in the day of the Apple 2E computers all of us doing a “who done it ” game and all the laughter in the house.
I could listen to Loni talk for hours i always loved to here her maybe it was because I lived in such a small place and didn’t get out much so to hear some one of culture and class speak it sounded nice. Loni may your walk in the streets of heaven be blesses say hello to my Dad I’m sure you too have some catching up to do. Until the rest of us come to meet you please dont burn down the joint. You are and were a defining person in my life and I’m proud to call you a friend
I remember when I was a child, Stephanie took me to her mom’s house. I remember walking in, and seeing a mini horse standing in the living room, and a few on the deck. As a child, I thought that was the coolest thing. After visiting a few times, a little horse making their presence in the house was the norm. I would secretly call them in. 😉 All of them. 🙂 Sometimes, when they wouldn’t listen, I would join them on the deck.
On chilly evenings, Loni would make me peppermint tea. I would look forward to that peppermint tea every time we visited. I think Loni knew, as she always made me a warm cup never having to ask if I wanted it. To this day, I still have a box of peppermint tea in my kitchen. Every time I buy it, I think of mini horses in the house, and me, sitting on the bar stool sipping on a sweet mug of peppermint tea.
Thank you for giving me memories that still bring a smile to my face. You will be greatly missed.
Yes Loni was an amazing and beautiful woman. Family and animals were her greateat love. Loni’s heart was the size of Texas. Always there for you no matter what. Loni was a kind and loving spirit who rescued people as well as animals, gave them hope when they had none. Her love and friendship was genuine. True beauty.
Many, many happy memories of sitting at the kitchen counter at the house in La Pine. Loni on one side, me (Robin) on the other visiting about kids and critters or any manner of other things – such intelligence in that precious friend. Marc & Steve sitting in the chairs in the living room talking music. Marc always said Loni was one of the best cooks – ever! He hated cabbage, but loved the cabbage soup Loni made – I’m sure she was instrumental in Marc deciding that he secretly loves cabbage! Critters around our feet – big dogs, little dogs, mini-horses wandering around in the house – big horses outside looking in… a few wonderful rides and at least one cart trip with a mini. Oh yes, and then there were the cats that slept in the bathroom and loved to scare the stuffin’ out of you while you were using the ‘facilities’. And then there were the outings to the Legion or elsewhere. Loni and Steve were always such a classy couple on the dance floor. Loni had this elegant way about her. I’m so sorry that we lost touched in the past years and am so saddened that we will never get a chance to visit like that again.
I did not know her very good but she raised two great children.
I am the mother of 2 of Lonis grandchildren
She was an amazing grandma mother and friend. She will be missed but she is a better place and im sure she’s looking down on all her loved one with a smile and a heart full of happiness
I will always remind my children of all the good memories stories big heart and love she gave us all.
My Dear Mama,
We are trying to do as you wished. I am still a selfish child and will miss you deeply.
Watch over us all.
Love you always,
your Steffi-girl
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little–but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me–but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone. It’s all a part of the Master’s plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss Me – But Let me Go!