Nila Mae Smith, 80, passed away on December 06, 2023 at Bethany Home Skilled Nursing in Lindsborg, KS.

Nila was born on May 6th 1943 in South east Lebanon, Kansas, right on the edge of Jewell county, to W. E. Shultz and Velma Mildred Stanhope. She graduated from Gaylord highschool in 1961. Nila then started her first job as a waitress at Paul’s cafe in Gaylord, Kansas. Soon after she met the love of her life, Walter W. Smith, through her brother in-law after they returned from deployment in Korea. Nila and Walter got married in April of 1964 and started their family with their first child being born in 1965. Their life together was sadly cut short only a few years later by a tragic accident in December of 1970. Although Nila had 6 children ranging from the ages 5 to 3 months old, she didn’t let being a single mom of 6 phase her. Nila moved her family to Caldwell, Idaho, where she continued to be a stay at home mom until her youngest child started school. She then started working as a housekeeper at a local college. They lived in Idaho for 6 years and then moved back to Kansas to be closer to family. Nila got a job working for Walmart in Garden City, Kansas in 1988. She started off in the deli department and bounced around before she settled on the clothing department. She worked for Walmart for 15 years, going back and forth between Hays and Salina. Nila officially retired from Hays in 2003.

After Nila retired she filled her time with the presence of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren whom she was so proud of. Road Trips with her were not uncommon as she loved to travel, especially with her grandchildren in the back seat. Family was Nila’s main focus as she attended every birthday, holiday, and extracurricular event. She was even more proud once her grandchildren started having children of their own that she could love and dote on. Her hobbies included spending time outside camping, fishing, and just enjoying the outdoors. She spent so much time in flower beds and tending to her potted plants. When Nila couldn’t be outside she put puzzles together, crocheted and sewed for family and friends, and completed diamond paintings.

Preceded in death by Velma Schultz (Mother), Walter Schultz (Father), Husband: Walter Wayne Smith, Sisters: Melva McQuin and Karen Grieve; Brothers: Paul Schultz and Loren Schultz; Great-Grandson: Gabriel Brooks.

Nila is survived by: Children Vickey Nixon and spouse Jody of Salina, KS, David Smith of Huron, SD, Jerry Smith of Salina, KS, Bryon Smith of Olathe, KS, Nila Wharton and spouse Paul of Russell, KS, Jodi Fox and spouse Mike of Waterford, ME; Others: Gary Schultz (Brother) and spouse Justina of Council Bluffs, IA, Donna Conrad (Sister) of Smith Center, KS, Grandchildren 16, Great-Grandchildren 23.

Graveside services will be held at the Great Bend Cemetery on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 2:00 PM. Inurnment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, KS.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Roselawn Burial and Cremation Services, Online condolences can be sent to www.roselawnsalina.com.