Michael Jesse Smalley

Michael Jesse Smalley, 76, Moose Lake, formerly of Cloquet, died Friday, December 18, 2015 in Duluth.

He was born on February 7, 1939 in Duluth to Verner and Beatrice Smalley. Michael grew up in Duluth graduating from Denfeld High School in 1957. He attended Bemidji State University and attained his teaching degree. Michael later received his Master's Degree from University of Wisconsin-Superior.


On January 2, 1965, Michael married Susan Monson in Sandstone. They lived briefly in Duluth, Fargo, and Cannon Falls before settling in Cloquet where he taught elementary school and Driver's Education for many years. In 1991, Michael and Susan moved to Sand Lake. He later retired from teaching in 2000. Above all else he loved spending time with family and friends at the golf course, time at the lake, and watching all of their grandchildren's sporting events and school activities. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Moose Lake Golf Course, and was active in the Sturgeon Lake Lions Club.


Michael was preceded in death by his parents: Verner and Beatrice; brother-in-law: Roland Theis; niece: Susan Tschida; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law: June and Les Gagnelius.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years: Susan; three daughters: Kathleen (Jay) Sommers of Luverne, MN; Kelly (Kent) Fugere of Duluth; Erin (Brian) Conklin of Duluth; seven grandchildren: Morgan, Hailey, Jacob, Joseph, Treven, Isaac, and Alex; a sister: Colleen (Hunter) Beaumont of Munich, Germany; two brothers: James (Charlene) Smalley of Bemidji and Robert Smalley of Austin, TX; sisters-in-law: Carol Theis of Sandstone and Deanna (Ken) Tschida of Cottage Grove; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be from 10 am until the 11 am services on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 in Hope Lutheran Church, Moose Lake. Pastor Reggie Denton will officiate.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.