Dick Cates final words were” Let’s pray.” After praying together and a kiss from each family member, he passed away peacefully on Monday, July 2, 2018 at his Prior Lake home.
All the services will be at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, MN. A visitation will be on Friday, July 6, from 3-7 pm and on Saturday, July 7, from 9:30-10:45 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Father Tom Walker will preside. Pall bearers will be grandson, Tom Keating and nephews, Scott Hennen, Brian Hennen, Brad Reinboldt, Mike Roach, Kevin Roach, Bob McNearney and Tim McNearney. Dick will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. Lunch will follow at St. Michael Archangels Hall, with a special celebration of Dick’s life to continue at the Prior Lake V.F.W.
A strong and proud Irishman, Richard Anthony was born on February 8, 1936, in Minneapolis, MN. He was the second of four children born to Delbert and Nora (McCarthy) Cates. The Cates family was one of the founding families of the Prior Lake community. He and his siblings, Helen, Madonna and Ramona grew up in the family home, which is now the home of St Michael Catholic Church. As a young boy, Dick enjoyed playing with his neighboring cousins, but mischief usually followed him wherever he went. Aspiring to be a farmer, Dick loved working at the McCarthy farm and spending his summers there, Dick graduated from Prior Lake High School in 1954 where he enjoyed playing football for the Lakers. He then proudly served in the United State Army Reserves from 1954 to 1962.
Dick had a 38-year career with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, where he spent most of his time in management. Retiring in 1994, Dick worked the next 12 years transporting special need students for Anderson Bus Company.
As a young adult, Dick enjoyed visiting area dance halls, where he often danced with a pretty gal named Eileen Slater. After five years of courting, Dick and Eileen married on June 30, 1962 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in St. Paul, MN. They welcomed three precious girls, Kathleen, Sheila and Susie. As a family, they enjoyed vacationing together, but they especially loved their annual summer vacation to Gull Four Seasons Resort in Nisswa for the past 25 years.
For almost 50 years, Dick played the drums for various Old-Time bands. He was so proud to share his special talent and to watch people dance and enjoy the music; he was especially fond of playing for senior dances every Wednesday. Dick even became a celebrity on the Polka Spot Light and KCHK Radio.
Dick was a proud member of the Prior Lake/Savage Knights of Columbus Third Degree and the American Legion. He was a loyal customer of the Prior Lake VFW. Every Thursday he would make his annual trip to the hardware store, otherwise known as the VFW, to congregating with his buddies.
Dick loved celebrating his Irish heritage, entertaining at his Irish Bar and participating in St Patrick’s Day parades. He relished his 1994 vacation to Ireland. But it was Dick’s family and faith that were most important. He was a proud and beloved husband, dad, grandpa and brother who passed down his strong faith in God to them.
Dick was generous, sentimental, compassionate and had a big heart. But it was his fun loving and spirited personality that will be missed the most. The amazing legacy of Dick now lays in the hearts of his beloved wife of 56 years, Eileen; children, Kathleen (Charlie) VanMeter, Sheila (Mike) Keating, Susie (Mark) Mahowald; grandchildren, Tom Keating, Caitlin VanMeter, Meghan Keating, Carolyn VanMeter, Melissa Mahowald, Ellie Mahowald; sisters, Madonna Cates, Ramona Hennen; many relatives and friends.
Dick entered enteral life with his parents; sister, Helen (Paul) Reinboldt and brother-in-law, Gordy Hennen.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Cates family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
