Berdella 'Bea' Smalley — Rochester

Berdella "Bea" Smalley, 94, of Rochester, died Thursday, June 27, 2013, at Cottagewood Senior Community.

Bea was born Dec. 21, 1918, to William and Mary Reed in Wabasha. She graduated from Wabasha High School in 1937. She then attended nursing school in Rochester, graduating as a RN in 1940. She worked at Rochester Methodist Hospital, followed by Rochester State Hospital, where she retired in 1981. Bea married William H. Smalley on April 15, 1944. He preceded her in death in May 1998.

Bea loved to talk about growing up on the river. She spoke of the yearly high water by her house,

swimming across the river, and helping her mother run errands.

Survivors include her children, Bill Smalley (Cindi), and Marilyn Kuisle; her grandchildren, Troy Kuisle, Tami Levassuer, and Beth Nelson; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother and two sisters.

A private internment of Bea's ashes was held Saturday, June 29, at Grandview Cemetery, where

her ashes were joined with her husband.

We would like to thank the caregivers at Cottagewood who treated Bea as if she were family. And

hospice nurse, Sharon, for her kindness and guidance.