Nancy Lee Smalla, 81, of Allegan, MI passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Wings Home. Born March 15, 1942 in Allegan, she was the daughter of the late Alton Brownell and Mary Elizabeth (Gant) Gorter and was the wife of Roger Dean Smalla.
Nancy graduated from Allegan High School in 1960 then attended Beauty School and worked as a hairdresser for years. Many haircuts and perms took place at her kitchen table. She worked for a time at G & H Sports Center, which fit right in with she and Roger’s lifestyle and love of snowmobile riding with friends in their younger years. Nancy and Roger would go on to own and operate the Merson Country Store for more than ten years. The years they spent at the store were filled making wonderful memories and even better friendships. Nancy looked after her customers with the kind of special care and concern you can only find in a small town. She often made specialty lunches, especially for her farmer friends, to grab and go on their busy, long days. Nancy eventually retired from Village Express where she loved to catch up with and dote on her regular customers when they came in, just as she would at the Merson Country Store.
When summer came around, she loved spending most of her time at their camp site at Tri-Ponds Campground. Many of Roger and Nancy’s friends spent the summers there as well so she was in her glory. Countless hours were spent with family and friends around the camp fire cooking, telling stories, laughing and making lifelong memories. Nancy always loved to have the grandkids spend the night.
She and Roger were members of the Elks Lodge for many years where they loved spending quality time partying and dancing with friends.
In her spare time, Nancy enjoyed looking for bargains at garage sales, playing cards with their good friends, crocheting and reading. Above all else, Nancy found her greatest joy in her family, especially when it came to spoiling her grandchildren.
Nancy will be loved and remembered by her surviving family: Husband, Roger Smalla; Children, Liz (Gary) Sulzener and Jodie (Todd) Beardsley; Siblings, Alton (Lois) Brownell and Rosemary Moose; Grandchildren, Chelsey Curry, Jennifer (John) Waychoff, Ryan (Nadine) Sulzener, Logan Beardsley and Austin Beardsley; Great-grandchildren, Gunner, Anniston, Lyla, Keni and Ayden; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her stepmother, Miriam Brownell; and her stepfather, Hans Gorter.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wings Home, 530 Linn Street, Allegan, MI 49010. Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements.