Joan Carol (Peterson) Small, age 81, passed away as a result of a stroke and went home to be with Jesus on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Longview Nursing Home in Missouri Valley. She was born on Nov. 16, 1943, in Persia, to Donald and Margaret Peterson. Joan married Gary Small on June 4, 1962, at St. Anne Church in Pisgah.
Joan and Gary were self-employed in the apple orchard and fruits/vegetables business, selling wholesale and retail from their market along Highway 183 near Mondamin. Joan could always be found working in the market welcoming their customers with her warm beautiful smile. Her happiness was contagious.
Joan, often referred to as Joanie, loved to play all different card games, play bingo, read, and in the early days, dance. She had her first massive stroke in 2002 when she immediately quit smoking and began her fascinating journey of health and sickness over the next 22 years. Joan was strong-minded, determined, and had an incredible will to live. She loved family parties over the years. Family was everything to Joan, she would "will her way out of a hospital stay", to be able to join family events, weddings and holidays.
In February 2024, Joan and Gary went from independent living to being a part of the Longview Nursing Home community. This last year Joan was fighting various health conditions and spending more weeks in the hospital than not. She was a "light of joy and happiness" and had an infectious smile that she loved sharing with family and friends. She was kind, considerate, and respectful to all, and willing to try anything to get better. We almost lost her in September from blood clots that caused pulmonary failure. The staff at Lincoln, Nebraska’s CHI Heart Hospital did surgery and helped her to feel better than she had in years. To the staff there, we are truly grateful for giving us another 3 months with her. No parties were enjoyed more by Joan than the few days/nights of family coming to see her in Lincoln and telling stories of what everyone remembered that was meaningful to the teller. We all had tears of laughter! She enjoyed that so very much.
We also acknowledge a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Generations Hospice and the staff at Longview Nursing Home, who cared for her during her week of hospice care. The grace, dignity, and love they gave to her, and to our family, will never be forgotten.
Remaining to cherish Joan’s life and memories are her Husband Gary Small; Daughter Lori Kirk (Significant Other Rich Felt); Son Dave Small (Wife Jennifer Small); Son Ken Small; Grandchildren Andrew Huff (Significant Other Phoebe Hornbeck-Gearhart), Cassidy McCorkle (Husband Colton McCorkle), Deric Small (Wife Jessica Small), Colton Small (Significant Other Charidy Kaiser), Jacob Small (Wife Maddie Small), Caitlin Tompkins (Husband Allen Tompkins); 15 Great-Grandchildren.
Joan was preceded in death by her Father Donald Peterson; Mother Margaret Peterson; Brother Teddy Peterson; Daughter Susan Huff; and Great-Grandson Theodore Small.
Services were conducted Dec. 7, 2024, at Hennessey Funeral Home.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home. Online Condolences, www.hennesseyonline.com.
