Kathryn Green

Kathryn "Kitty" Green was born 24 August 1903 in Crawford County, IA, and died October 1987 at Mitchell, Davison, SD. She is buried in the Platte City Cemetery, Platte, SD (Find A Grave Memorial# 80200055). She married Leonard Hetler Coates on 24 Jul 1920 in Lake Andes, Charles Mix, SD. Leonard was born 21 July 1897 in Charles Mix Co., SD, and died 29 October 1973 at Platte, Charles Mix, SD. His parents were Josiah Giffin Coates and Georgia Heaton. Leonard is buried with his wife in Platte City Cemetery (Find A Grave Memorial# 80199974).

1. Gailen L. Coates , b: 20 Sep 1921 in Platte, Charles Mix, SD, d: 7 Jul 2017 in Mitchell, Charles Mix, SD. Find A Grave # 181241671. He married 23 Jan 1943 in Kansas City, Jackson, MO, to Gelene Lucille Johnson (b: 21 Dec 1918 in Geddes, Charles Mix, SD, d: 19 Aug 2012 in Firesteel Healthcare Center, Mitchell, Davison, SD, Find A Grave Memorial# 96052187), daughter of Harry L. Johnson and Bertie Olafson. Gailen & Gelene are buried in Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell, Davison, SD.

Gailen L. Coates age 95, of Mitchell died Friday, July 7, 2017 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM Tuesday, July 11, at the Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday, July 12, at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery with military rites.

Gailen was born in Platte, SD on September 20, 1921 to Leonard and Kitty (Green) Coates. Schooled and graduated from Platte High School in 1939.

He married Gelene Johnson on January 23, 1943 in Kansas City, MO. and made their home in Mitchell.

Gailen served in the Army Air Corp in the states and the European Theater from September 1942 to November 1945. After returning home he worked as an electrician in Mitchell until 1958. Gailen then established Coates Electric service in 1958 and sold the company in 1986 and retired.

Gailen was a life member of Elks Lodge 1059, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and First Lutheran Church.

Grateful for sharing his life are several nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law Donna (Gene) Farris of Mitchell, SD, Charollene Coates of Rapid City, SD and Lila Thorp of Sioux City, IA.

Preceeded in death by his parents; Gelene in August 19, 2012 and brother Keith Coates.

2. Keith John Coates, b: 29 Apr 1928 at Platte, Charles Mix, SD, d: 7 Dec 2013 at Clarkson Health Care facility, Rapid City, Pennington, SD, Find A Grave Memorial# 121458961. He married in 1951 to Dr. Charollene M. Vander Pol (b: 28 May 1931 in Douglas Co., SD, d: 15 Jan 2018 in Rapid City, Pennington, SD,), daughter of Deicke Johann & Mayme L.(Crago) VanderPol. Keith & Charollene are buried in Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade, SD.

Keith & Charollene had three children:

1. Michael Coates

2. Kerry Coates married Peggy Ehlers on 20 Jun 1973 in Pennington Co., SD.

3. Kip Coates married Mary.

Obituary from Kirk Funeral Home:

Keith J. Coates, April 29, 1928 - December 7, 2013

-Rapid City, SD

Keith J. Coates passed away peacefully with his children and grandchildren by his side on Saturday morning, December 7, 2013 at the Clarkson Health Care facility in Rapid City.

Keith was born to “Kitty” and Leonard Coates on April 29th, 1928. He was born and grew up in his beloved Platte, South Dakota where he was well known for his exploits in baseball, basketball and football. He graduated from Platte High School in 1946.

He attended South Dakota State University for two years, took a year off to teach junior high in Platte, and then returned to SDSU, completing his education in 1951. Following a four-year stint in the Navy, he taught at Corsica High School for a year and then Platte for five years.

After completing his Master’s Degree in 1961, he took his first administration job in Provo, SD for three years before moving to Rapid City in 1964. After a year of selling insurance he returned to education as the Athletic Director of Douglas High School, which was followed by five years as the principal of North Junior High, two years at South Junior High and ultimately, his dream job as principal of Central High School. After following a self-imposed limitation of staying at a school for no more than five years, he spent 18 years at the helm of Central High School as he felt that any other job in education was a demotion. He was a much admired principal by staff and students alike and was a constant presence at nearly every activity occurring at Central High School during and following his time as principal. Perhaps his favorite greeting in the world started with “oh, you were my principal at…” No one ever embodied the idea of “Once a Cobbler, always a Cobbler” more than Mr. Coates.

Upon retirement, he continued his full-time job as “Grandad” to not only his own seven grandchildren but to countless numbers of the grandchildren’s teammates. He and wife Charollene logged thousands of miles (and went through three vans) attending graduations, athletic contests, musical performances and plays. No one ever enjoyed his/her grandchildren more than Mr. Coates.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Charollene of Rapid City; brother Gailen Coates of Mitchell; sons Mike of Fargo, ND, Kerry (Peggy) and Kip (Mary) both of Rapid City. He has seven grandchildren: granddaughters Stacey (Andy) Currie, Kristi (Lance) Roetman, and Lindsay Boyd and grandsons Kelly, Casey, Riley, and Keith Coates. He also has four great-grandchildren: Kaden & Kaci Currie and Kylar & Keelie Roetman.

Visitation will be at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City on Tues., Dec. 10 from 5pm to 7pm, and then at the church for one hour before services on Wednesday.

Services are set for 11am Wed., Dec. 11, 2013 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rapid City with the Rev. Bob Jacobs officiating. A reception and luncheon will follow at the church. Interment with honors by VFW Post 1273 & SD Army National Guard will be at 2pm on Wednesday at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the Keith J. Coates College Scholarship and to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Friends may sign Keith’s online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.