Nila D. Nelson
Nila Delores Nelson, age 96, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at her home in Sioux Falls, SD. The family will be present to greet friends for visitation from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory. The Funeral Service will begin at 10:00 am on Friday, November 8, 2024 also at the funeral home followed by the interment at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Nila was born December 24, 1927 in Sioux County, Iowa, near Hudson, South Dakota, to Leland and Bertha Merritt. She grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she attended school through the 9th grade. She moved with her family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for two years then came back to South Dakota and graduated from Canton High school in Canton, South Dakota. She married Merle Stanley Smith in August, 1946. He died in a car accident in 1961. Nila worked at McKennan Hospital for more than 24 years, and retired at the end of 1996. She married Clarence L. Nelson in June, 1978. He died July 28th, 2011.
Nila was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she was a longtime leader in her Church circle, participated in WELCA, adult activities and led many Bible studies. Her faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was core to who she was and guided every part of her life. Nila’s faith shown through and inspired all those around her.
If you ever tried to call Nila on the telephone, the line would often be busy as she spent countless hours on the phone discussing anything and everything with her sister Lorraine, or with many of her other friends and relatives. Nila loved her pugs and was blessed with having 3 different pugs in her life. She looked forward to her pug desktop calendar for her birthday every year. She was an avid journal keeper and enjoyed writing about her daily activities and thoughts throughout her life. Nila’s favorite bird was the cardinal and she loved to fill her bird feeders and listened for their signature call. She was a lifelong Minnesota Twins fan, and spent many hours enjoying crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, and in her later years, numerous books on tape. Nila treasured time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Nila was preceded in death by her parents Leland and Bertha Merritt; her brothers, Merle and Lester Merritt; her sisters, Eileen Buckmiller and Lorraine Wilson; her first husband, Merle Smith and second husband, Clarence Nelson; and her daughter, Sally Larson.
Grateful to have shared her life are Nila’s two children, Gary Smith of Prescott, Arizona and Connie Nyenhuis of Harrisburg, South Dakota; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great grandchildren; and 2 great-great-great-grandchildren.