Margaret A. Cates

Margaret Ann (Coates) Cates, 72, of Casper, Wyoming passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, September 29, 2014. She was born on March 2, 1942 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Her family moved to Glenrock when she was 10 years old where she attended Glenrock Public schools and graduated in 1960. In September 1960 she wed the man of her dreams, Melvin Plez Cates, who preceded her in death in 2012.

Margaret was not one to allow grass to grow beneath her feet, she enjoyed numerous hobbies and worked many careers. She was a well respected employee at Hilltop Nat'l Bank for several years early in her career, leading to a few short but fulfilling positions for the Natrona County Sheriff's Dept., Natrona County Library, AVCO Finance Company, Cates Drilling (family owned business) and finally finishing with a long stint as a Benefit Payment Control Specialists for the Unemployment office of the State of Wyoming.

Margaret had a caring heart and spent many hours volunteering. A few charitable mentions are Meals on Wheels delivery, making room in her home for children from the Children's Home on holidays and weekends, hosting Special Olympics children and cheering them on-her time was their time!

When relaxing from her busy days at work she indulged in arts and crafts. She was a master stain glass artisan of which several of her original creations are now home to many beautiful windows and buildings in the community. Her garden was her "baby" from Spring through Fall. She was known in the family as always having delicious jars of her special home canned goods. She was proud to pass her traditions on to her children and grandchildren in the art of canning.
She enjoyed spending time at Alcova with Mel and family. Her fishing talents were hard to beat as she always seemed to pull in the "First, biggest and most",- Lady Luck she called it.

Being a grandparent was Margaret's pride and joy beyond belief. She cherished every moment with her grandchildren and grandnephews and nieces by making life full of FUN. G'ma Margaret was notorious for spreading "Ghouling Halloween Cheer", delivering popsicles on hot sunny days, weekend adventures to symphonies and plays, camping in the backyard, dying Easter eggs, picnics and lemonade stands.

Music was an important part of Margaret's life since she was very young she taught piano to youngsters in the neighborhood and played for special occasions in the community. A favorite pastime was going to the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra with friends, listening to her grandchildren sing at church, and attending their band/choir concerts and orchestras in Wyoming and Colorado.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Melvin; Sister, Ellen "Ellie" Shaw; Brother in Law, Howard L. Shaw, Sr. She is survived by daughters, DeLee (Jeff) Johnson of Loveland, CO, ShLee (Clint) Schuler, Mesa, AZ; two brothers, Patrick (Deanne) Burgen, and Michael Burgen of Casper, WY, a sister Frances (Melvin) Wood of Fulton, CA; a niece, Rebecca (John) Floyd of Las Vegas, NV, a nephew, Howard L. (Shari) Shaw Jr. of Casper, WY; a niece Elaine (Tom) Kopetzkey of Shelby, NE; her grandchildren, MarLee Johnson, Jariek (Dani) Schuler, Randi, Breqan and River Schuler. Among many other specially loved nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Margaret's life will be held at The Family Home, on Saturday October 4, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are urged to consider a memorial to Casper Area Low Vision Support, c/o Lois Boyd, 2705 E. 11th St., Casper, WY 82609. To leave a special message for Margaret's family, please visit the guestbook below.