Helen Gatewood, age 92, passed away peacefully at her daughter's home, surrounded by her family, on April 26, 2015. Helen Roberta Small was born to Walter and Tessa (Mayberry) Small on October 1, 1922, in Sheridan, Wyoming. The family left their ranch near Wyola, Montana, and returned to Nebraska the next year. The family became an active part of the Decatur, NE community. Helen graduated from Decatur High School in 1940, attended Midland College for one year, and then returned to Decatur to teach the 1941-42 school year at Ball School District 38. Helen then answered her true calling to be a nurse and attended St. Joseph College of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1945. On July 24th of that year she married Joel W. Gatewood. During their 15 year marriage, they were blessed with four children. In the 1970s, Helen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Morningside College. Her lifelong career of service included work as a rural school teacher, case worker with the Florence Crittenton Center the Department of Human Services in Dakota and Woodbury Counties, registered nurse in the Sioux City hospitals, Dr. Gathmans office, and school nurse in both the South Sioux City and Sioux City Community Schools. After her retirement from the Sioux City schools in 1985, she worked with Western Iowa Tech Community College on the Preschool Screening Team. Although Helen was a working Mom her priority was her family and she devoted her life to her faith, family, and service. Helen was an involved member of the First Presbyterian Church of South Sioux City and she enjoyed being part of the schools and community. She was a past President and lifetime member of the Elementary and High School PTA organizations. She was a life-long volunteer throughout the community and active in several organizations that emphasize service to others, including: Friends of the Library, PEO, Order of the Eastern Star, and Daughters of Nile. Helen also enjoyed finding treasures at rummage sales, collecting and experimenting with recipes, completing the daily cross-word puzzle, and never missed celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday with her family by finding creative, personal gifts (although not always on time). Celebrating Helen's legacy of love and service are her children: Joel (Marcia) Gatewood Jr., Jacklynn (Wayne) Petersen, Jeanne (Tom) Barnes, and James (fiancée Ruth Phipps) Gatewood, brother: Walter "Bud" Small, nephew: Dan (Konnie) Small, the grandchildren she treasured: Tessa (Jeff) Etherington, Anna (Patrick) Reynolds, Carey Barnes, Jessica Petersen, Adam Petersen, Emily (Josh) Murray, and Jacob (Pam) Gatewood, great-grandchildren: Jack, Katie, Kindi, Joshua, and Tommy Etherington, Joel and Hannah Reynolds, Elizabeth Murray, and Marshal Gatewood, and all beloved family and friends. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City, on Friday, May 1, at 11:00 AM. An Eastern Star ceremony will be held at 9:30 AM for those who wish to attend. Visitation, with the family, will follow from 9:45 AM until the 11:00 AM service. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 PM at Hillcrest Cemetery in Decatur, Nebraska.