Stacy L. Small
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Stacy Small, 54, of Pierre, passed away June 2, 2020. Graveside Services will be held at 10:00am, Friday, June 5, 2020 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blunt. The service will be broadcast live at www.feigumfh.com. If you are unable to attend Stacy's service, you can reserve a "virtual" seat at her service by emailing [email protected] or by calling Feigum Funeral Home at (605)224-4902 and a heart with your name will be present at her service.
Stacy Lynne Small was born on June 23, 1965, in Pierre, South Dakota. She was the blessed, petite, 5lb 2oz, fifth child of Clifford and Eunice (Suhn) Small of Blunt, SD. She grew up with her nieces and nephews as playmates. Stacy was born with congenital hips and spent many months in a split cast from the Vandermark Clinic in Sioux Falls. With her mom and sister, Karen, they made many trips to Dr. appointments, some in very adverse weather conditions. Stacy attended Blunt Elementary school until 4th grade when a doctor's diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome necessitated them to choose Crippled Children's Hospital and School (CCHS) over an institution setting. CCHS was her home during the week, and she was home every weekend until she was 18. Through the hard work of her mom, Eunice, Debby Bouchie, and Jan Farnham, the Oahe, Inc. (an adjustment training center for developmentally challenged) group home was purchased just in time for Stacy to become one of its charter residents in 1982. Oahe, Inc. (now Vista Care) and their caring and compassionate caregivers have provided a home for her for 38 years.
Stacy never met a stranger and could remember names and phone numbers like an elephant. She would always ask about others in one's family (especially the in-laws or any animals!!) Stacy was very social and loved going to the Vista Care Community Center for different activities and also going to Wednesday night Bible study with her sister, Karen. She loved her roommates on Hayes Street, but especially Sam, who was in a wheelchair and nonverbal. She seemed to know his every wish. Over the years, she loved doing puzzles, latch hook, playing memory games on her IPad, copying recipes and making little gifts for family or friends. It was always a surprise as to who was going to be that "special" recipient. Because of her kind heart, she had also been known to give away some of her own personal items. Stacy was a pro at spinning tall tales and making you believe (or at least question) them!! She loved shoes, even though grown-up shoes were hard to find for her tiny feet. She loved babies and loved when the great nieces and nephews started arriving. She looked forward to birthday and Christmas gifts and especially those surprise gifts that she would receive from her sister-in-law, Nita, in the mail. She enjoyed family gatherings and bossing any unruly "grands" whether they needed it or not and was a pro at "sneaky snitching" any sweet treats around!! She liked swimming and could swim like a fish until she realized that all those trips to the Y-pool were for exercise & not to socialize!!!
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother-in-law, Robert Earley, and a great nephew, Dylan Fulton. She leaves four siblings- Karen (Mack) Wyly, Fort Pierre, Terry (Nita) Small, Aberdeen, Susan Earley, Boise, ID. and Craig Small, Westminister, CO., eight nieces & nephews - Kayleen (Paul) Fulton, St. Lawrence, SD, Tomi Kay (Jeff) Weinheimer, Onida, SD, Tracy (Jerrod) Henrich, Akron, IA.; Rachel (John) Schubert Becker, Portland, OR. & Tera (John) Muellerleile, Minneapolis, MN., Kyle (Anita) Wyly, Fort Pierre, SD, Chad (Emily) Small, Prior Lake, MN, & Rory (LeAna) Earley, Boise, ID., twenty two grand nephews & nieces - Wyatt Fulton, Mackayln and Jenna Fulton; Adam, Carson and Abby Wyly; Ethan (Vero) Weinheimer, Hannah, Avery, Cooper, Tessa and Sawyer Weinheimer; Hunter and Kolt Henrich; Raegan, Garrett and Jackson Small; Eloise and Felix Muellerleile; Willis, Paige and Sydney Schubert, Hudson and Brennan Earley and one great grandniece on the way! She is also survived by numerous cousins and a special Aunt Lea Small in England as well as the caring Vista Care staff and residents.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Arc Oahe, (to support Stacy's friends at Vista Care) 125 W. Pleasant, Pierre, SD 57501, or a charity of your choice.