Helen Lucille Wagner Small passed away peacefully at Vista Grande Nursing Home on Friday, March 13, 2026—leaving behind a legacy of love, determination, and more completed projects than most folks dare to start.

Helen was born on October 27, 1936, in Cortez, Colorado, to John Francis Wagner and Mabel Lucille (Dunning) Wagner. She graduated from Mancos High School in 1954 and, never one to sit still for long, completed her training as an x-ray technician in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the very next year.

While working at the hospital in Clovis, New Mexico, Helen’s coworker and friend Jean decided to play matchmaker by introducing her to Jean’s brother, William Allen “Bill” Small, who had just returned from serving in the Navy during the Korean War. Thankfully, Jean’s instincts were excellent—Helen and Bill were married on June 9, 1956, beginning a partnership that lasted 63 years and grew into a lively, loving family of five children, 14 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren.

Helen lived by two guiding principles: “If you’re going to do it, do it RIGHT,” closely followed by, “I can do that myself.” And she meant it. Whether it was painting, cleaning, wallpapering, building fence, sewing clothes for all her children, or even grinding horseradish (yes, really), Helen approached every task with precision, pride, and a refusal to cut corners. No job was too big for this 5’1” woman, nor too small, or too stubborn.

She loved cheering on her grandchildren at their many activities, from 4-H shows to wrestling matches—traveling as far as Wyoming for state competition. Holidays and gatherings were full-family affairs, often bringing together 30 or more people, which Helen handled with the same efficiency she applied to everything else. She was known for her thoughtful tradition of gifting personalized ornaments to each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild, as well as her homemade applesauce cakes, dried apples, and jerky—gifts that were as anticipated as they were delicious.

Summers were filled with boating and horseback riding, and through it all, Helen & Bill remained the steady center of a very busy, very close-knit family.

Helen was a proud 46-year member of the Sleeping Ute Mountain DAR and retired from Southwest Memorial Hospital as an x-ray technician.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mabel Wagner; her husband, Bill Small; her sisters, Flora Deane McBride (Dodie) and Charline Ives; and her grandchildren, Sean Small and Shane Armendariz.

She is survived by her children: Mark (Connie) Small of Mancos; John (Suzanne) Small of Evanston, Wyoming; Cathy (Doug) Stone of Dolores; Shirley (James) Jones of Mancos; and David (Kathy) Small of Durango. She is also survived by her grandchildren—Elizabeth (Sam) Sparks, Lacy (Jason) Moore, Kierra (Danny) Fury, Nick (Danielle) Small, Ross (Alyssa) Small, Jenn (Sam) Cropp, Luke (Meghan) Small, Eric (Tiffany) Small, Jacob Stone, Melanie Armendariz, Tyler (Delialah) Jones, Collin Small, and Kim Arlt—as well as 36 great-grandchildren who will continue to benefit from her example and impeccable work ethic.

A celebration of Helen’s life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Cedar Grove Cemetery, with a reception to follow at Mt. Lookout Grange.