Obituary of Marcia S. Smalley

Marcia S. Smalley, 84, of Iowa City, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Atrium Village in Hills.

Marcia was born in Muscatine on July 30, 1933 to Fritz and Sadie (Schlapkohl) Belter.   She grew up in the Stockton area and graduated from Muscatine High School. After attending Muscatine Community College, she taught elementary school in several one room school houses.  She met Kenneth Smalley at a Junior Farm Bureau event and they were married at New Era Church on July 22, 1955.  Their marriage of over 60 years included dancing, card clubs, many fishing trips to Minnesota and a few big trips to Alaska and Europe.  Marcia was most content in her role as a farm wife and “putsing around” in the kitchen.  She took great pride in baking bread and developed quite a following at the Iowa City Farmer’s market.  She also worked part time at ACT and enjoyed the experience of a job in town.  Marcia was involved with the Johnson County Farm Bureau Women’s group and the Corona Chapter Order of the Eastern Star where she held many different offices including Worthy Matron.  She was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church.  

Marcia was a wonderful wife, mother, aunt and grandmother and brightened many lives with her warm smile. She was very generous with her time and always putting others first. Her hobbies included sewing, gardening, and collecting red glass but all these would be put aside if someone needed transportation, help with 4-H projects or one of the children or grandchildren had a practice, game or concert. 

Marcia is survived by her husband, Kenneth; son, Myron (Beckie) Smalley of Iowa City; daughter, Karen (Duane) Randall of Solon and daughter, Janet (David) Norton of Des Moines; grandchildren, Kristin (Scott) Mayo, Jenna Smalley and Chelsea Smalley, and Brady, Jamie and Erin Randall, and great-grandchildren Nile, Kallan, and Ashlyn Mayo.  She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Lorna (Belter) Welk. 

Funeral services will be held 11 am Wednesday, November 29th at the Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City with a time of visitation prior to the service, beginning at 9:30.  Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Marcia’s name made be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church, Shriners Hospital or Essence of Life Hospice. 

Marcia’s family would like to thank all those who’ve shared their love and would especially like to acknowledge the staff of Atrium Village and Essence of Life Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.