Amelia “Fern” Small Gudehus, 97, of Memphis , Missouri formerly of Edina , Missouri , passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016 , at the Scotland County Care Center in Memphis , Missouri .

Fern was born on April 30, 1919 , in Lewis County, Missouri near Williamstown, the daughter of William Elbert “Bert” and Lydia McClain Nichols.

She attended Fairview Rural School , north of Williamstown, and graduated Valedictorian from the Williamstown High School in the Class of 1937.

Fern was united in marriage to Dorsey Cleotis Small on July 15, 1937 , in Williamstown , Missouri , and to this union five sons were born. They resided on a farm north of Edina , Missouri , where they raised their children. Cleotis passed away August 25, 1961 and she moved to Memphis , Missouri where she opened a café “Small’s Diner” for a few years and worked as a cook at the Scotland County Care Center for more than 17 years. Throughout the years she worked many places including, Dryden’s and Keokuk, Iowa; Davis-Cleaver in Quincy, Illinois; Parthey’s Café in Knox City, Missouri and Farm and Home, Thelma’s Coffee Shop, Maid Rite, and West Side Café all of Edina, Missouri.

On April 14, 1986 , in Kahoka , Missouri , Fern married Glen Gudehus and they resided in Edina , Missouri until moving to the Knox County RCF , in October of 2005, where Glen passed away on March 30, 2006 . She later moved to the Scotland County RCF and then to the Scotland County Nursing Home as her health failed.

Fern loved to bake pies and cookies and one of her greatest joys was having family around and cooking for them.

Fern is survived by her sons, Ralph and Nita Small of Downing, Missouri, Richard “Dick” and Mary Small of Milton, Iowa, Tommy and Rosella Small of Edina, Missouri, and Jimmie Small of Kirksville, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Steve Small of Kansas City, Missouri, Sherri and Herb Huntsman of Downing, Missouri, Scott Small of Downing, Missouri, Dorsey and Suzanne Small of Louisburg, Kansas, Dean and Cate Small of Creve Coeur, Missouri, Erin Small of Columbia, Missouri, Beverly Hayes of Edina, Missouri, Richard W. Small of Milton, Iowa, and David Small of Centerville, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Mildred Nichols of Republic, Missouri; fifteen great grandchildren; three step great grandchildren; eighteen great great grandchildren; ten step great great grandchildren. Fern is also survived by two step sons, Gene Gudehus of Steel, Missouri and David and Judy Gudehus of Moberly, Missouri; a step daughter, Jane Ann Heimer of Edina, Missouri; a step daughter-in-law, Claudette Gudehus of Edina, Missouri; along with numerous nieces, nephew, cousins and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, a son, Charles “Sunny” Small; seven brothers, Lloyd and Carmelita, Ruby and Viva and Maxine, Leland and Nellie, Leo and Helen, Thomas and Lola Mae, Charlie and Eleanor, and Cecil; a sister, Gladys Mitchell and a step son, Jerry Gudehus.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2016 , at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina , Missouri .

Visitation will be after 12:00 noon , Saturday, with the family receiving friends until the service time.

Burial will be in the Linville Cemetery in Edina , Missouri .

Casket Bearers will be Dorsey Small, Dean Small, Scott Small, Steve Small, Richard W. Small, and David Small.

An expression of sympathy may be left to the Linville Cemetery Association. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4 ^th Street , Edina , Missouri 63537 .