Mary Nilles was born and raised in Andale, Kansas. She is the daughter of Jerome and Doris Nilles. She attended Andale through all her years of schooling. In middle school, Nilles played volleyball, basketball, and track. In high school Nilles continued to be a multi sport athlete and competed in the same three sports. She received many accolades during her time at Andale. Not only was Nilles a multi sport athlete but she did great in the classroom, and was apart of the honor roll.

During her senior year, Nilles was recruited to go play basketball by many colleges, ultimately she decided to go to Cowley College to continue her academic and athletic career. Nilles played basketball for 2 years at Cowley and was an All-League selection during her time. After 2 solid years of basketball at Cowley, Nilles decided she wanted to transfer to Kansas Newman College to play basketball, and pursued her degree in nursing. Due to her rigorous schedule, Nilles had to stop playing basketball so she could focus on her studies.

In 1995, Nilles graduated with a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Kansas Newman College. She was stuck deciding after college where she wanted to start her career at, but then Nilles began her nursing career in Scott City, Kansas at the hospital. Nilles then got married, and moved to Madison, Wisconsin and worked at the University hospital. After a year in Wisconsin, Nilles moved back to Wichita, Kansas.

When Nilles returned back to Wichita she then got a job at The Center For Reproductive Medicine. In 2003, Nilles decided to go to graduate school. Nilles enrolled in the nurse practitioner school at Wichita State University. Nilles graduated in 2006, with a master of science degree in nursing in the family practice tract. Nilles then received her national certification 3 months later. When I asked Nilles why she chose the career path she did her response was “Nursing always interested her and was always something she wanted to do”.

Nilles continues her career at The Center For Reproductive Medicine as a nurse practitioner. Outside of work, Nilles spends time with her husband Darin, 5 children, and 2 grandchildren. Nilles still attends activities at Andale High School, because her youngest child goes to school there. Nilles was truly a successful story and credits her time at Andale as part of that success.