Vera Rose Small, 100, formerly of Horton, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021 in Salina, Kansas.

She was born on September 7, 1920 in Troy, Kansas the daughter of Marion F. and Ada Matilda Mann Earhart. Vera Rose graduated from Troy High School in 1938. She was involved in 4-H growing up and through this she met Raymond Small at a 4-H Club Regional competition in Troy.  Vera Rose and Raymond Donald Small were married on March 24, 1940, on Easter Sunday at the Christian Church in Troy, Kansas. They were engaged in farming at Willis, Kansas and then Leona, Kansas. In 1955 they purchased a farm near Horton, Kansas.

Vera Rose enjoyed sewing, gardening and oil painting. She loved watching her daughters and grandchildren participate in their activities. She was an avid sports fan who loved to watch the Chiefs, Royals and K-State games. She was a member of the Horton First Baptist Church, the Horton Hospital Auxiliary, Horton Pride and was a 4-H Leader. During their retirement years, Vera Rose and Raymond enjoyed traveling and wintered 16 years in Harlingen, Texas. While there they tutored six years in the H.O.S.T.S. program in the Harlingen Schools.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond on June 26, 1997, parents, two brothers, Harold and Marion T. Earhart, four sisters, Veva Horner, Esther Burnett, Grace Sutton and Doris Koss, sons-in law: Jere Pederson and Kenneth Behnke.

She is survived by her four daughters, Jacqueline Pederson (Jim Oldham), Kathleen Behnke, Sheila (Roger) Tipling and Anita (Dean) Staab. There are 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas where the family will greet friends 1 hour prior to services. Burial will follow at the Horton Cemetery. The family requests to please wear masks and practice social distancing.

Memorials may be made to the Horton First Baptist Church and may be sent in care of the mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com