Barbara A. Nilles, 65, Sanborn

A graveside service for Barbara A. Nilles was held at Roseland Cemetery near Sanborn on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. Honorary pallbearers were all of Barb’s beloved nieces and nephews. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Barbara Anne Nilles, daughter of Frederick and Adelaide (Harms) Gibbons, was born Nov. 1, 1959, in Brookings, S.D. Most of her childhood was spent in South Dakota and Iowa. She graduated from Sanborn High School with the Class of 1979. Following high school she attended Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, earning her certificate for Nurse’s Aide and Certified Med Aide. During her career Barb was employed at the Orange City Nursing Home in Orange City, Mann Wing Memorial Nursing Home in Hartley, Duncan Heights County Home in Duncan, and the Senior Wellness Center in Hartley.

Barb was united in marriage to Kenneth John Nilles on Aug. 11, 1984, at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Sanborn. Following their marriage they moved to Britt, where Barb decided to leave the nursing field and began working at Oleo Acres Kennels. They were blessed with two daughters: Elizabeth Anne and Abbiegale Marie. They moved back to Sanborn in 1991 and Barb continued to work for various businesses including Beef Specialists in Hartley, Nemschoff Furniture in Sioux Center and Revival Animal Health in Orange City. She was also employed with RIDES and Casey’s Convenience Store in Sheldon. When the marriage dissolved in 2019, Barb continued living in Sanborn and worked at the Brew Convenience Store right in town; she retired in 2021.

For several years she had enjoyed bowling with the Bowl Mor ladies league and was also a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, both in Sanborn. She liked reading, playing board games (especially Scrabble) and playing online slots. Lots of good memories were created going camping or fishing and boating with family and friends. She spent many hours working in her gardens and tending to her houseplants. Barb was also an excellent cook and took pleasure in canning garden produce for her family and friends.

Even though she had held various jobs outside the home throughout her life, Barb’s main focus was always on raising her children. She considered them to be her greatest accomplishment and was proud of each of them. Her favorite times were those spent with her children, nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.

Barb passed away at her home in Sanborn on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the age of 65 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Linda Wilson, Jan Pennings and Wendy Wilson; one brother, Daniel Gibbons; and three brothers-in-law: Reggie Kroese, Jack Noethe and Ivan Pennings.

Keeping her memory close in heart are her daughters: Elizabeth (Tom) Fontenot and their son, Gannon, of Sheldon; and Abbiegale (Preston) Schmith, of Boyden; one sister, Patti Noethe, of Britt; one brother: Joel (Linda) Gibbons, of Sanborn; sister-in-law, Mary Gibbons, of Sanborn; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.