Nyla Jean (Stensgaard) Smith, age 57, of Brookings, passed away in the comfort of her home on Saturday, June 20, 2015, under the care of hospice and family members, after a courageous battle with cancer. Her daughters and family members were by her side. Memorial Services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2015, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings with burial in the church cemetery. Visitations will be 3-6 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2015, at Eidsness Funeral Home. Nyla was born on January 9, 1958, in Brookings SD. She was the third child of seven to Lloyd and Darlene (Phelps) Stensgaard. Nyla grew up and attended school in Brookings, graduating with the class of 1976. She was baptized, confirmed, and was a current member of First Lutheran Church. Nyla was employed with 3M for fifteen years after graduation. She moved to Seattle, WA, for a few years, and then returned to Brookings. Nyla was most recently employed as a Program Specialist with Brookings Housing. She was also a waitress at the Pheasant Lounge. Outside of work, Nyla enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends. Nyla was married and later divorced. She raised two daughters, Presley, 23, and Christy, 21. She also has two granddaughters, Jaeda, 3, and Kaiysa, 9 months. They brightened every day for her. She cherished her relationship with family, and made sure family get-togethers continued after the loss of her parents. Nyla was preceded in death by her dad, Lloyd in 1987, her brother, Davis in 1998, and her mom, Darlene in 2009. She is survived by two daughters, Presley Door (special friend, Mike) of Sioux Falls, SD, and Christy (Cody) Hartman of Brookings; two granddaughters; four sisters: Janice (Don) Gussiaas, Carrington, ND, Becky (Eric) Sundal, Brandenton, FL, Patty (Dan) DeYoung, White, SD, Charlene (Ron) Bothern, Colman, SD; and one brother, Larry Stensgaard of Brookings; aunts; uncles; and several nieces and nephews. God Bless the memory of Nyla.