Roberta A. Small

Roberta Ann Hegstrom was born to Jay L. and Anna M. (Bierma) Hegstrom on March 22, 1926 and God called her home on June 10, 2016. Roberta grew up on the dairy farm with her parents near Lawton, Iowa. She graduated from Lawton Schools in 1943 and attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. She graduated in 1945 with a teaching degree. While at Buena Vista she met Wencil Dean Small. Following 2 years of teaching, Roberta and Wenc were married on May 29, 1947. The couple spent their first 3 years farming near Lawton, Iowa. They moved to the Rembrandt area in 1950. They raised four children in their home south of Rembrandt: Marcia, Larry, Karen and Gary. Roberta worked alongside Wenc on the farm and helped raise assorted livestock: cattle, hogs, chickens, ducks, lambs and even Shetland ponies. They scaled back to just grain farming later in life. The free time allowed them to travel visiting family and friends, including visiting long-time friends George and Helen Thompson in Arizona and enjoying many trips with them. After Wencil was killed in a tragic farm accident in 2005 she was able to remain on the farm and maintain an active role in the farm operation.

After the children started school, Roberta substituted in area schools. Roberta was an active member of Rembrandt United Methodist Church, serving as treasurer for nearly 60 years. The doors to her home were always open and most likely the coffee pot was on and there were cookies or some dessert ready to be served. Roberta enjoyed gardening, books, and entertaining but most of all she loved spending time with her family, especially the trips to Adventureland. She loved being surrounded by her four children, ten grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. Her memory will live on through her family and all those whose lives she touched. We are so fortunate that her mind was as sharp as a tack until she was called home.

She is survived by her children Marcia and Doug Grabinski of Clear Lake, Larry and Bonnie Small, Clear Lake, Karen and Ben Greene of Webb, and Gary and Julie Small, Rembrandt; 10 grandchildren: Brent and Betsy Grabinski of Ankeny, Elissa (Grabinski) and Doyce Hanson of Rock Valley; Jeff Grabinski and fiancé Johnisha Watson of Louisville, CO; Charles and Heidi Small of Newell; Amy (Greene) and Craig Williams of Columbus, Nebraska, Brittanya (Small) and Nick Thompson of Woodward; Beth (Greene) and Eric Boughey of Webb; Justin and Gretchen Small of Clear Lake, Tiara (Small) and Ryan Wilson of Moneta; and Bradley and Nicole Greene of Webb; and 21 great-grandchildren: Taylor, Isaac and Abigail Hanson of Rock Valley; Allison, Rylie, Cole and Aiden Knudtson and Ethan and Emma Boughey of Webb; Greta, Glenn, Graham and Grace Small of Newell; and Alyvia, Connor and Sawyer Williams of Columbus, Nebraska; Ian, Autumn and Violet Thompson of Woodward; Paisley and Paxton Greene of Webb; sister, Joyce Corrie of Anthon; sister-in-law Joyce Dumkreiger of Storm Lake;

Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Wencil in 2005; granddaughters, Katie Lynn Greene and Jessica Ann Small; her parents Jay and Anne Hegstom; father and mother-in-law Charles and Blanche Small, brother, Gene Hegstrom and his wife Olive; brother-in-law, Darrell Small and his wife Majorie; sister-in-law, Oma Middendorff and her husband Art, brother-in-laws, Wallace Corrie and John Dumkrieger; two nieces, Lyn Dee Middendorff and Stacy Dumkrieger; nephew, Tom Corrie; and great-nephew, Michael Corrie.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Unity Point Hospice, Rembrandt Fire and Rescue, Rembrandt Public Library, Iowa Department for the Blind Library or a charity of your choice.