Mary E Kates, 90 of Rochester, passed away Saturday, December 22, at Memorial Medical Center.

Mary was born January 9, 1928, in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter of John and Anna (Alewelt) VonDeBur.  She married James Kates on October 7, 1950.

Mary graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. She retired after a long career with Illinois Bell. In addition to raising a large family, she was a talented seamstress and enjoyed many artistic endeavors including needlepoint, painting and ceramics. She also enjoyed gardening and feeding her birds.   Mary and Jim were charter members of Christ the King Church. They lived in Fairfield Glade, TN for 10 years where they were members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She was a member of the Church of St. Jude in Rochester and resided at the Villas in Sherman until the time of her death.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her parents, her brothers, John and Francis, and two of her children, Jerry and Cheryl Kates.

She is survived by her children: Donna (George) Wanless, Jim (Nancy) Kates, Mary Beth (Roger) McClintock, Rachel (Mike) Copp, all of Rochester, Steve (Kelly) Kates of Springfield, Chris (Claudia) Kates of Winston-Salem, NC, and Matt (Jan) Kates of Wheaton, IL;  grandchildren: Jennifer (Marc) Sullivan and Karen (Jeff) Montgomery; James M. Kates and Michelle (Ben) Layne; Brandon (Shannon) and Corey (Jamie) Kates; Cameron Kates; Ashley, Jason and Sarah Kates;  Andy, Matthew and Ryan McClintock; Alex and Kyra Copp; great grandchildren:  Braden, Colten and Alaina Stock; Zach Berry and Torie Kates;  Jaxson and Riley Kates; Aiden Kates; and Bryce Layne; step great-grandchildren: Zoe and Darby Sullivan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. until the of the memorial mass at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Church of St. Jude, 633 S. Walnut, Rochester. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions can be made to American Diabetes Association.