Marietta Wells Smalley

Marietta Wells Smalley (Polly), age 99, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026 in Gainesville, Texas. She was born April 17, 1927 in Minneapolis, MN to Elizabeth Glascock Wells and John Frederick Wells.

Marietta graduated from Kasson High School and later worked at the Kasson telephone company until she married the love of her life, Robert David Smalley, on January 1, 1947, after he returned from service in WWII. Together they had seven children and lived in Kasson, MN until moving to Colorado in 1971. She continued living in Fort Collins after Robert’s passing in 2012 until relocating to her home at Wesley House in Gainesville, TX in 2025.

Marietta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother John D. Wells, her oldest daughter, Marietta Eklund (2026), and one grandson, Michael W. Smalley (2023). She is survived by six children, John (Linda) Smalley, Robyn (Timothy) Hammond, Pamela (Daniel) Ness, Frederick (Judy) Smalley, Rebecca (Robert) Larson, and Kristina Johnson. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at Maple Grove Cemetary in Kasson, MN on August 21, 2026 (11:00am) where Marietta and Robert will be buried.

Memorials in Marietta’s honor may be given to St. Jude’s children’s hospital or the charity of your choice.