MOHALL – Genevieve Olive “Jenny” Gates, 97, Minot, formerly of Mohall, was unexpectedly hospitalized and died on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at a Minot hospital. 
She was born June 17, 1928, near Norma, ND, to Norwegian parents Keith and Gunda (Johnson) Knutson.  She was the seventh of nine children born on the original homestead in Rockford Township, Renville County. Jenny attended country school across the road from her home through eighth grade.  Starting a family tradition of attending bible camp, she traveled to Lake Metigoshe in the back of a grain truck with the Evanger youth in her teenage years.  Attending Metigoshe Bible camp has continued through each generation, now including her great-grandchildren.  
She attended high school her freshman year at Sherwood, and went on to graduate from Mohall High School in 1946.  She attended Minot Teacher’s College and earned a teaching certificate, which allowed her to teach one memorable term with Dagny Knutson at Grassland School. 
Jenny married Donald “Irish” Gates, a WW II vet, on November 23, 1947.  Together, they made their first home in Oak Harbor, WA, where Irish worked as a garage mechanic.  In the Spring of 1948, they returned to North Dakota to help on the Gates Farm.  They later established their own farm in Brandon Township, Renville County, where their son, Jim, and grandsons, Andy and Peter, continue to farm.  While raising five kids, she never sat down. She was always working on home improvement projects and became proficient at wallpapering, painting, refinishing furniture and sewing.  In her free time, she enjoyed bowling, playing Bridge and spending weekends at Lake Metigoshe.  
Jenny worked as a clerk at Abe’s Market; and as a CNA, at Renville-Bottineau Memorial Hospital and the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home.  They moved from the farm into Mohall in 1986, and sadly Irish died August 11, 1989.  Jenny moved to Minot and became a regular at the YMCA, building muscle and friendships.  She was also a member of the Sons of Norway where she played pinochle.  Always up for adventure, she traveled to the Holy Land, her father’s homeland in Norway, California to visit Florence, and to Hawaii.  Winters were spent in Arizona with her daughters, where walking, sitting in the sun, 3:00 margaritas, and board games were her favorite activities.  She moved to Edgewood Assisted Living in 2022 and continued to be very social; completing the daily crosswords, playing cards and setting puzzles with her many friends.  
Jenny was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall; and Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot.  Jenny lived a full and active life filled with faith, family and friends. 
Family: Daughter-In-Law, Bonnie Gates, Fargo; Daughters, Ann (Terry) Zeltinger, Minot, Lynette Durheim, Forbes; Sons, James (Susan) Gates, Mohall, Jerry (Tamie) Gates, Bismarck.  And the following who received birthday cards from Jenny each year- Grandchildren:  Phil (Apryl) Gates, Stephanie (Jeff) Malek, Erin (Kelsey) Holt, Ben (Robyn) Zeltinger, Tyson (Chelsey) Zeltinger, Jason (Sarah) Gates, Andy (Meggan) Gates, Stacey (Patrick) Schoemer, Peter (Bethany) Gates, Kristin (Brent) Woodward, Brandon (Kalie) Gates, and Colton Gates.  Great-grandchildren: Betty and Vivian Gates, Penelope and Daphne Malek, Harper, Henrik and Emerson Holt, Molly and Lucy Zeltinger, Liam, Cade and Effie Zeltinger, Maria, Emily, Greta and Haley Gates, Makenna, Lakynn, and Holynd Gates, Taylor and Ryan Schoemer, Violet and Beau Gates.  Siblings: brother, Clifford (Phyllis) Knutson, Fergus Falls, MN; sister, Florence Nesland, Allentown, PA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 
Jenny was preceded in death by:  Her parents, Keith and Gunda Knutson; husband, Donald “Irish” Gates; son, Donald C. Gates; sons-in-law, James Wheelihan and Bruce Durheim; and siblings, Casper Knutson, Mildred Mugaas, Beatrice Brekhus, Knute Knutson, Silas Knutson and Victor Knutson. 
Funeral: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall. 
Burial: Mohall Community Cemetery, Mohall. 
Sharing of Memories service (Open to the public): 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 20, 2026, at the church. 
Visitation:  4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, at the church.  Friends may also sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com. 
Memorials:  Memorials preferred to Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall, Metigoshe Ministries, or the Minot Family YMCA. 
(Brose Funeral Home, Mohall)