Eleanor Small

Eleanor Mae Halverson was born on July 10, 1924, in Presho, SD, to Ben and Josephine Halverson. She graduated from Gayville High School in Gayville, SD, in 1943. She moved to Minnesota to work in a bank, and it was there that she met Donald Small. They were married on December 22, 1949, at the original East Side Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. A long-time member of East Side Lutheran, Eleanor was active in Circle and Bible studies. She had a leadership role in serving wedding and funeral receptions and taught several Bible Studies. She was a part of the Stephen Ministry, and she and Donald took communion to homebound church members. In addition to church activities, Eleanor enjoyed spending time with her family, working in her flower garden, and decorating for holidays. She was also a wonderful cook. Eleanor was 86 years old when she died on May 5, 2011, at the Inn on Westport. She is survived by six children, Russell (Patty) Small of Libertyville, IL; Marilyn (Chuck) Helgerson of Centennial, CO; Ronald (Sharon) Small and Donovan (Barb) Small of Sioux Falls; Michelle (Donnie) Simmons of Crestview, FL; and Kelly Small of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren Chad Helgerson, Joel (Jill) Helgerson, Cory Small, Ryan Small, Kyle Small, Tyler Small, Anastasia Simmons Smith, Aris Simmons, and Justus Simmons; great-granddaughter Anaya Smith; step-grandsons Troy Horton and Ryan Quarve; step-great-granddaughter Abbey Young; a sister, Berniece Frasier of Laguna Woods, CA; sisters-in-law Betty Halverson of Sioux Falls, Marge Small of Blunt, SD, and Lea Small of Louth, England. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her parents, five brothers, two sisters, a daughter-in-law, and many other relatives and friends.