Barbara Jean Small

Funeral services for Barb Small were held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD, which was also in charge of arrangements. Barbara Jean Small was born July 18, 1958 in Gregory, SD to Edwin and Dorothy (Smith) Esterling. She joined her other siblings as the fifth child. After Barb was born, two more children would follow. She passed away on November 9, 2023 somewhat unexpectedly, but is no longer in pain, and is at peace. As a child, Barb loved animals and spending time with her cats. She enjoyed playing with Barbie dolls when she wasn’t helping the other kids on the farm with chores. She enjoyed riding horses with the other kids as well.

Barb married Terry Horton on April 4, 1974, and to this union, their son Troy was born in Sioux City in July of 1977. Barb was a waitress at the time in Sioux City, IA. After Troy was born, they moved to Gregory, SD where she enjoyed doing ceramics and being a stay at home mom. She continued that at a farm 20 miles from Mitchell SD. In 1981 due to a propane malfunction attached to the home, it burnt down. Barb decided to achieve a secretarial degree at a vocational school in Mitchell.

She met Donovan Small at the Holiday Inn in Sioux Falls where they both worked. She then moved to LaCrosse, WI where she was in charge of housekeeping. A year later she transferred to a Holiday Inn in Spearfish, SD where she also was in charge of the hotel’s housekeeping. Barb moved back to Sioux Falls in 1991 and stayed with the same employer while she did accounting and payroll.. Barb married Donovan Small on February 29, 2000. They lived in Tea for 2 years before moving into Sioux Falls. During the time they were married, Barb and Donovan liked to travel. She enjoyed going to arts and craft shows and going to renaissance fairs. Barb always had her love for cats.

Barb also really enjoyed fast cars. While living in Sioux Falls, Barb worked at South Dakota Furniture Mart, Eastside Lutheran as a secretary and Missouri River Energy working in the office. Barb enjoyed working at Dairy Queen before her health forced her into an early retirement.

Barb is survived by her husband Donovan, her son Troy (Jamie) and her two grand daughters Abbey(Trevor) and Ava from Sioux Falls; brothers Rick (Yolanda) from Mitchell, SD, Marvin (Jane) from Gregory, SD; sisters Judy Davis from Mitchell, SD, and sister Linda (Chuck) Flemming from Gregory, SD. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Barb also leaves behind her 2 beloved cats, Yoda and Gigi.

She is preceded in death by both her parents and grandparents, brother Robert, and sister Roberta, nephew Brad, and niece Tammie. She will also join her 2 other beloved cats Turbo and Bear.