Marie Antoinette Chartier, was born on August 28, 1925 in Concordia, Kansas of French immigrant parents, and was fostered along with four other siblings at the age of 5. Marie grew up in a foster home in Emporia, Kansas, where she attended high school. After graduation, during WWII, Marie worked at Montgomery Ward as a store clerk in the women's department. She lost two of her foster bothers in the war.

Marie met Lawrence (Larry) Gates who was serving in the Army Air Corp as a flight instructor and they were married on August 5, 1945. Together, they raised four children. The family made their home in Sharon, Kansas. Larry was an Area Line Supervisor for the REC and Marie worked at the Medicine Lodge Hospital at nights. Marie's hobbies included gardening and sewing.

After Larry and Marie raised their children and were graduated from Sharon High School, Larry retired from Alfalfa Electric and Marie retired from the Medicine Lodge Hospital and they moved into a new home in Anthony, Kansas. They both attended services at the First Christian Church until September 22, 2008 when Larry passed away at the age of 84. Marie took care of Larry for over a decade in their home following his stroke, which had left him physically handicapped. Her nursing training proved to be very valuable. Larry and Marie were married for 63 years.

Marie lived in Anthony, Kansas until she passed away January 20, 2018. She is survived by her four children: Vonda Amundson, Dan (Jeanette) Gates, Alan (Kathy) Gates, Larry (Marcketta) Gates; 6 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the Christian Church in Anthony with Pastor Ed Preston officiating. Burial will follow in the Sharon Cemetery, Sharon, Kansas.

Friends may register 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Christian Church or to Heartland Hospice and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003, is in charge of arrangements.