Marlene Kay Smith

Marlene's service can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/906447922

Marlene's tribute video may be viewed here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/2RGZ44PXD9Y3Q9ML

Marlene Kay (Anderson) Smith died on January 19, 2024, in New Town, ND.

She was born in Alexandria, MN, on September 14, 1956, to Orville and Darlene (Chayer) Anderson. She attended school in Evansville, MN, where she grew up with her sisters Peggy and Laurie and brother Michael. After high school, she graduated with a dental assistant degree.

Marlene married Joel Kolle on July 6, 1974. They happily welcomed two boys in this union: Ryan and Adam. The family moved from Moorhead, MN to Williston, ND, in the early 90s.

There, Marlene worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Anderson. She always enjoyed talking with patients and meeting new people. While in Williston she spent her time following her boys around in their many activities, cooking and baking, and socializing whenever possible.

Marlene married Robert Smith in 2002 In Williston, ND. They later divorced.

In the last years of her life, she met her partner, Dave Hilleren, and moved to New Town, ND. She and Dave had many adventures together, from cruises in Alaska and the Caribbean to vacations in Mexico. She enjoyed her outings with friends and would always have new stories to tell when she would visit her family.

Marlene’s greatest joy in life was her two sons. She would do anything for Ryan and Adam (including making them each a pan of caramel rolls each visit). She also enjoyed following her grandchildren’s activities of hockey, baseball, and gymnastics throughout the year. She loved watching videos of games and meets and was so proud of their accomplishments. She may have been known to brag a little about each of them on occasion.

Her family will miss her love of life, her laugh, and her jokes. Most of all, they will miss her hugs and hearing the words “I love you”.

Marlene is survived by her life partner Dave Hilleren; son, Ryan(Jocelyn) Kolle and their children, Carson, Kenadi, and son, Adam Kolle; sisters, Peggy(Jim) Sauer, Laurie Johnson; sister-in-law, Madeline Anderson; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Darlene Anderson; her brother, Michael; and an infant brother, Jon.