Joan Small
Joan Theresa Small, lovingly known as “Joanie”, gained her angel wings on Sept. 5, 2025, surrounded by family at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, Mont. She was 85. Born to Agnes Marie (Morin) and Daniel Aloysius Garfield, Joanie was the second of 12 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 U.S. 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 and Chad Garfield; and niece, Chandlor Garfield.
A prayer service was held Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass was Friday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. Interment followed at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.
Grandmother’s Love By Thomasine Azure To know true love is your grandmother’s love. The smell of fresh cookies as she bakes like heavens above.
A woman whose strength, perseverance and kindness has guided me from the start. A woman who will love me no matter what, through thick and thin, with all her heart. As long as my siblings were well behaved, she’d give us a cookie and mint when we’d get home. A grandmother’s love is one of a kind So bright like a diamond it shines. A woman of little words but her eyes and soul tell a story.
A woman so blessed and brave in all her glory I will always remember the nights we spent together.
Her beauty is unmatched and divine.
Her grace and warmness ages like fine wine.
She taught me how to be a lady, and right from wrong. She taught me how to colour, how to write, and how to sing my favorite song.
Saturday night mass was always special, sitting with Grandma Aggie, and Grandma Joan, Cuddling, watching movies, and snuggling forever. You have taught me so much, and for that I am thankful. I am blessed to have you as my grandma; you are my angel.
(Paid Obituary)
