Jo Anne Gates

Jo Anne Daniel Newbury Gates, recently of Norfolk and Lincoln NE, passed away May 17, 2020 at her home in Loveland CO. She was 76 years of age. Jo Anne was born February 27, 1944 in Tacoma WA to Robert and Maxine Daniel. She married her husband Kenneth Leroy Gates, a Lincoln NE native, July 8, 1972 in Salt Lake City UT. She is survived by her husband Ken, her two sons Thomas Leroy (Tatyana Razumov); Jeffrey Lyle (Chrystal) and two beloved granddaughters Nina Rose and Sylvia Jean. Her husband and family now reside in Loveland and Westminster CO.

She is also survived by her two sisters Carla K Daniel Clearfield UT and Katherine Lee Newbury Lerab Ling Roqueredonde France. She is survived by two brothers Robert M Newbury (Nancy) Roswell GA and Jimmy W Newbury, Middleburg FL. Jo Anne was preceded in death by her parents Robert O Daniel; Virginia Maxine Daniel Newbury and step-father David Newbury. Jo Anne is a Tacoma WA native. She always treasured her many visits back to the Pacific NW.

Her mother remarried a Navy man when Jo Anne was young. As with many military families, relocating was always the way of life. She attended at least 7 schools in as many different cities/states. She graduated from high school in Virginia Beach VA and attended St Mary’s College in Maryland. Her first career job was with AT&T Washington DC.

Eventually she returned to the Pacific NW at Whidbey Island WA to rejoin her mom, dad and step dad. She was eventually accepted to flight attendant school for Western Airlines. Jo Anne received her “wings” in 1968. She received numerous outstanding commendations including the saving the life of a military man on one of her flights. She was based in Salt Lake City UT. Jo Anne met her hubby and was married in SLC on July 8, 1972.

Jo Anne switched to Western Airlines Reservations after the birth of their 1st son Thomas. In SLC Jo Anne also managed apartment villages. Jo Anne and Ken moved to Park City UT to manage a condo hotel next to the ski slopes. It was in Park City that their 2nd son Jeffery was born. Their next move took them to Santa Barbara CA where she managed a fast food restaurant and also worked with apt management.

Jo Anne and Ken wanted to move back to NE to be closer to the Gates family headquarters. “Better to be close to grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends,” she often said.

In Norfolk NE she was teacher’s aide, retail clerk, medical lab courier and mom. In Lincoln NE she was involved in apartment management and retail.

Her hobbies included the gathering of new friends who all treasured her wonderful spirit and loving nature. She was adopted into the Nebraska Gates family with open arms and loved by all. She was admired by so many people who often remarked that she “must be an Angel.” Another important hobby of Jo Anne’s is crocheting baby blankets for new moms. She must have completed at least 40 blankets. Her main goal at the end of life was to complete one last unfinished blanket.

Jo Anne was loving, non-critical, and never expressed a grudge. The thought of judging another person never entered her mind. Her spirit was as clean and shiny as a morning ray of sunshine. She loved to spend time with her YaYa Sisterhood (Kathy, Carol, Mary, Ilana, Dianne). She loved her brothers and sisters, her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, her nieces and nephews, her sons and daughters-in-law, especially her granddaughters! SHE LOVED ALL OF HER FAMILY MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE! She is our sunshine!

We give special thanks to the Banner Health medical teams and Pathways Hospice in Loveland.

Memoriam: In lieu of flowers please make donations in Jo Anne’s name to the Fort Collins Rescue Mission, 316 Jefferson St. Fort Collins CO 80524 (970) 224-4302 (fortcollinsresuemission.org).