Obituary: Sister Nyla Roberts

Sister Nyla Jean Roberts, O.L.T., 67, of Aberdeen, passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at Aberdeen Health and Rehab in Aberdeen. Her Funeral Mass was April 21, 2020, at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, with Father Patrick Grode officiating. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Mellette, S.D. at a later date.

Family and friends may sign Sister Nyla's online guestbook and also view her service via the live stream service link at http://www.schriversmemorial.com.

Nyla Jean Lesmeister was born July 15, 1952, to Marcus and Leona (McAvoy) Lesmeister in New Rockford, N.D. This is the area where she was raised and attended school. Following high school graduation, Nyla attended cosmetology school in Jamestown, N.D., and eventually became the owner and operator of her own beauty salon in New Rockford in the 1970s. She later worked at the New Rockford Hospital for a short period of time.

Nyla was united in marriage to Daryl Roberts on July 8, 1977, in New Rockford. This is where they made their home until Oct. 31, 2001, when they moved to Mellette, S.D. Nyla and Daryl raised two children and shared 28 years of marriage before he passed away on May 2, 2004, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident south of Jamestown.

Nyla was very devoted to her family and faced many hardships in her life dealing with her own health issues as well as the health issues of her son Brandan. Over the years, her faith grew and although she faced much pain and many trials, she found joy and happiness in Christ. On Sept. 7, 2003, Nyla took her vows and joined the Order of Les Thereseans and became the very first Sister to join this order. She moved to Buffalo Gap, S.D. in 2013 and continued to reside there until 2017, when she made Aberdeen her home.

Blessed to have shared in Nyla's life are her children: Kerri (Scott) Collette of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Brandan John Roberts of Aberdeen; three grandchildren: Matthew, Robert, and Alex Collette; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gerald "Les" (Carol) Lesmeister of Weeki Wachee, Fla., and Marty (Cindy) Lesmeister of New Rockford; her brother-in-law, Larry Munson; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Nyla in death are her husband, Daryl; her parents, Marcus and Leona; her sister, Marcella Ann Munson; and her sister-in-law, Nancy Lesmeister.

Arrangements made by Schriver's Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen, S.D.