Mom was born fourth in a family of six to Frederick and Lillie Cozad Coon at Queen Creek Siding, Maricopa County, Arizona, on Feb. 21, 1923. When the children were old enough to attend school, the family moved to Wickenburg, Arizona. Dollie loved her growing up years there, even though it involved a lot of hard work. We loved her stories of the desert life, and all the things kids had to do there. Mom was not only proud of having graduated from Wickenburg High School in 1940, but that she had attended Northern Arizona University.

Mom was offered a prestigious position of being a "Harvey Girl" at the Bright Angel Lodge at the Grand Canyon. One day as she walked into the dining area in her uniform, there was a young man playing in a band who admitted that when he saw her, he totally "destroyed" the song. Elgin T. Gates married Dollie in July of 1941 in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Mom and Dad lived mostly in the Southern California area until moving to Ammon, Idaho, in 1978. Most of their married years Mom supported Dad's dreams of speed boat racing, big game hunting, and other endeavors. He spent months on end traveling the world on hunts, and she stayed home and raised the children. Dad said he couldn't have done it without Mom's love and support. Elgin passed away in Nov of 1988.

Dollie was known for her flowers, her artwork, but especially for her love of family and friends. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

Mom and Dad had five children: Sharron (Ken Bogowitz) Ward of Hawaii; Irene (Tom) Graham of California; Elgin F., Randolph (Judy) and Robert (Diane) Gates all of the Ammon area; 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by one brother, Fred Coon Jr. of California.

Mom was preceded in death by Dad, three sisters: Victoria, Edna, and Jewel, and a granddaughter, Shalimar.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St., Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends from 7:30-9:00 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2008, and Saturday one hour prior to the services both at the mortuary. Private burial services will be held at a later date at the Ammon Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.