Irene Louise (Gates) Plantz, age 95, died peacefully on April 16, 2015, surrounded by her family at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Rockford, MN. She was born August 31, 1919 in Windom, MN, daughter of Carl and Kathryn (VanNorman) Gates. She graduated from Heron Lake High School in 1938. She married Faye Ernest Plantz on May 29, 1938 in Heron Lake. Irene worked for many years for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co in Windom, MN. and belonged to the Telephone Pioneers organization for many years. She did volunteer work for the city of Windom and was a member of the First Methodist Church of Windom. She lived in Windom most of her life and came to live with her son and his family in Rockford in 2006. She is survived by: daughter-in-law, Carol Plantz, grandson; Daniel "Dan" (Margie) Plantz, Buffalo; grandaughter; Patricia "Patti" (Tim) Olson, Rockford; Great-grandchildren: Cody Plantz Olson, Rockford; Dawn Moore, Buffalo; Willie (Cassie) Ahner and Kyrah Ahner, Zimmerman; sisters; Joyce Peter, Betty Norton, Norma Holinka, and brother Carl (Marilyn) Gates; and sister- in-law, Norma Gates. Preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Keith Gates, two sisters, Myrtle Gates and baby girl Gates, and son, Carroll Dean Plantz in June 2012.