Minnie Small

Minnie Beatrice Small, Las Vegas, NV, died June 12th, 2008. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck with a procession following to St. Mary's Cemetery for graveside services. Minnie Beatrice Small, wife of Edwin R. Ted Small, was born March 19th, 1905, in Bismarck, North Dakota. At 103 years of age, she was the last surviving child of nine born to Anthony “Tony” and Marie Neugebauer. From a young life on a dairy farm, Mom began her young married life working as a teacher. She soon took a leave to raise her eight children. Early during World War II, the family moved to Poulsbo, Washington, where she took on the role of “Rosie the Riveter" at the Keyport Submarine Base until the end of the war. She and Ted built torpedoes with a passion to save the boys overseas. Soon after, they moved to Junction City, Oregon, where Ted was in the log trucking business for many years. Eventually, they moved to Bakersfield, California, where the climate was more compatible with his health. At the age of 56 she went back to school to become a teacher again. She graduated with honors the same June as her youngest son Quentin graduated from high school. She loved teaching the young ones – kindergarten through third-graders. After retiring she continued substitute teaching. She was always pleased when a teacher would ask for her to be their substitute. Every year we would hear, “This is my last year of teaching.” That went on until she reached 90 years old! To our surprise, she finally retired! Mom and Dad spent many wonderful summers traveling the country with Bud and Shirley in their RV. To Bud’s consternation she would squirrel away tons of found rocks in every cubbyhole to bring home. After retirement, she moved to North Carolina to be close to her youngest son Quentin and his wife Elaine, who lovingly cared for her for over ten years. Just recently, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, to be closer to Sylvia, Bruce and Sidney and all their loved-ones. And, this was the last leg of her journey through life. For Mom’s 100th birthday, Dick and Helen held a wonderful 6-day big birthday bash that was attended by friends and family from far-flung places. Mom was even able to do the “Twist” with some of her grandchildren! With her foot tapping to the music, we knew that she was having a good time. When you think of all the changes that have taken place in the last one hundred years, you begin to realize what a wondrous time in history Mom lived in her 103 years. Mom was preceded in death by her parents and eight sisters and brothers. Dad, Edwin “Ted” Small, preceded her in death on December 4th, 1984. Other loved ones that preceded her in death are: sons, Robert Small and Ray Small; grandsons, David Eick and Russell Small; and son-in-law, Bud Eick. She is survived by three daughters, and three sons and their families: Shirley Eick, Richard and Helen Small, Sylvia and Eddie Atwater, Bruce and Lollie Small, Terry Small, Sidney and Jack Kelley, and Quentin and Elaine Small; twenty-four grand children; twenty-nine great-grand children; five great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. We all loved her dearly. The family would like to extend a warm thank you to Odyssey Hospice for their care and support of Mom. In lieu of flowers, please choose a charity of your choice.

Minnie Small

March 19, 1905 - June 12, 2008