Ingeborg Margarete Gates

Ingeborg Margarete Gates, age 91, of Waconia, formerly of Bloomington, MN, went to be with Jesus on July 14, 2025. She was born on May 4, 1934, in Ludwigsburg, Germany, to Josef and Margarete Karcher. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Wilder B. Gates; her parents; her brother, Siegfried; and her best friend, Doris Waegerle of Steinheim/Murr, Germany. She is survived by the Prof. Wulf Schneider family of Stuttgart, Germany. Ingeborg experienced World War II in Germany. She often said she should have written a book about those events. In 1953, she committed her life to Jesus Christ in Wolverhampton, England, while working as a nanny for a wonderful English family. In 1957, she immigrated to the United States, arriving in Minneapolis, MN. Her sponsor was her first husband, whom she had met at a church of the U.S. Forces in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Upon arriving in Minneapolis, Ingeborg and her first husband attended Soul's Harbor, Calvary Temple, an independent Spirit-filled Christian church pastored by Rev. Gordon K. Peterson. This ministry was a great blessing in her life. In 1962, Ingeborg became a proud U.S. citizen. She worked for various firms as an executive secretary in Minneapolis and later became a realtor, listing and selling homes in the western suburbs. In 1968, she married her second husband, Wilder B. Gates of Superior, Wisconsin, the love of her life. Wilder and Ingeborg shared a passion for skiing in the western United States. She was a wonderful cook, loved to sing, enjoyed Bible studies, followed the Minnesota Vikings, read local and world news, frequently visited family in Germany, and later in life enjoyed skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland. Ingeborg took pride in dressing elegantly and with style. Ingeborg had no tolerance for injustice, especially given what she had witnessed during World War II under Adolf Hitler's rule. One of her heroes was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian. A quote of his that deeply resonated with her was:"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." Ever since her conversion to Christ in England, Ingeborg, by God's grace, was committed to her Heavenly Father's work, sharing the gospel with her family, relatives, friends, and even strangers. In recent years, she enjoyed reading books by Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, former Senior Pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, IL. He was a prolific author, Bible scholar, and devoted follower of Jesus. One of his quotes especially touched her heart:"There is more grace in God's heart than there is sin in your past!" Two of Ingeborg's favorite Bible passages were:2 Corinthians 4:17-18"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." and 1 Samuel 2:2"There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God." A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 25, at Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis.

Tributes

Ingeborg Margarete Gates

May 4, 1934 - July 14, 2025

Tributes

Ingeborg Margarete Gates

May 4, 1934 - July 14, 2025

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