Nilser Ninette Smith passed away at Great Plains Hospital on March 6, 2026. She was 86 years old.
Nilser was born on March 16, 1939, in Puerto Rico and grew up in New York City. She met Dennis Smith, her husband of 43 years, while living in California. In 1973, they moved to North Platte, Nebraska, where they raised their three sons. Nilser worked for the Union Pacific as a switchman until her retirement.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Narciso and Barbara Rodriguez, husband (Dennis) and daughter-in-law, Tanja.
She will be remembered as spirited, hardworking and a loving mother and grandmother. She will be deeply missed by her three sons; Brian (Erin), Craig and Kirk (Deanna) Smith; her grandchildren, Ella Smith, Jojo Smith, Kaili (Nicholas) Hall, Morgan Smith and Sam Mesch; one great grandchild, Rose Hall; sister, Nelva Perez, and numerous other family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Tunnels to Towers Foundation. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.