Joan Small

Joan Theresa Small, lovingly known as “Joanie”, gained her angel wings on September 5, 2025, surrounded by family at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, Montana. She was 85. Born to Agnes Marie (Morin) and Daniel Aloysius Garfield, Joanie was the second of twelve children. She attended Immaculate Conception School through sixth grade.

In her youth, she often traveled to Milwaukee and California to help her aunts with childcare, while also helping raise her younger siblings at home. She worked as a dishwasher at the Wolf Point Café, Stockman’s Café, and the Triangle Café.

As a young adult, Joanie moved to California, where she met her husband, John Small, while attending vocational school. Their marriage was brief, but it brought her greatest blessing- her daughter, Desiree “Deedee”.

She later returned to Wolf Point to raise Deedee and be near family. There she put down lasting roots, dedicating herself to loved ones, her community, and her strong Catholic faith. Joan was a devout Catholic. She was a member of the Tekawitha group and was able to travel throughout the US to Tekawitha Conferences. The highlight was when she able to go to the tomb of St. Kateri Tekawitha in Canada. She was also a member of St. Theresa’s group. Joanie will be remembered for her generosity, strength, and warmth. She found joy in simple pleasures and creative pursuits, especially sewing, painting, baking, and scrapbooking. Above all, she took pride in her family, speaking of them daily with love and gratitude.

Survivors include her daughter, Desiree (Alvin) Azure; grandchildren, Jasmine Azure, Thomasine Azure, and Michael (Grace) Azure; great-grandchildren, Alvin and Vincent; siblings, Larry (Sheena) Garfield, Charles (Janice) Garfield, Leon (Ruth) Garfield, Vance Garfield, Marshelle Lambert, Desiree Garfield, Nancy Nordwick, Cecila Peters, and Cleo Shumway; and lifelong friend, Carol Wetsit.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Agnes Garfield; former husband, John Small; brothers, Daniel Garfield Jr., and Douglas Garfield; and nephews, Ronnie, Dewayne, and Mervin Garfield, Eddie Peters, Chad Garfield; and niece, Chandlor Garfield.

A prayer service will be held Thursday, September 11, at 6 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass will follow Friday, September 12 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.