Services honoring Nira Johnson Wilkinson, 97, of Mountain Home, AR, took place at Kirby Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mountain Home, AR, at 2 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 9, 2024. A graveside service at West Liberty Cemetery in Searsboro was at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Mar. 12. As we bid farewell to Nira Wilkinson's earthly presence, we celebrate a life well-lived with an indelible legacy of love and dedication that will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Nira was born Nov. 21, 1926, in Minden, NE. Nira led a remarkable life filled with entrepreneurship, family, faith, and unwavering dedication.
She graduated from Axtel, NE, High School in 1945 and went on to graduate from Parks Business College. With a career spanning 29 years in the dry cleaning business, 25 years as an accountant and business owner, and a lifetime commitment to bookkeeping and managing her businesses, Nira left a lasting impact on those around her through her work ethic. Her passion for numbers shone through in all aspects of her life. For more than 15 years, Nira and her husband Delno lived in Denver, CO, where their children were born. Then they moved to Lynnville in 1966, staying there for almost 20 years. During this time, she did the billing for the Lynnville Telephone Company, worked at Cozad Dry Cleaners in Newton, and eventually owned and operated businesses in Grinnell including the cab company, the bus depot, and a downtown hotel. Nira was a faithful Sunday school teacher for 20 years at Wesley United Methodist Church and treasurer for the United Methodist Women for more than 11 years.
Nira's memories will be cherished by her surviving family and friends, including her son Charles (Debbie) Johnson of Sully; daughter Charleen Ahrenstorff of Mountain Home, AR; and daughters-in-law Jessann Johnson and Shelly Johnson. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Matthew Johnson, Jennifer Van Sant, Ryan Johnson, Joleen McBee, Julie Deaton, Tyler Ahrenstorff, Jaycee Ahrenstorff, and Skylar Johnson; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
In the company of loved ones, her final moments were surrounded by their love and warmth as she peacefully passed away on Mar. 6, 2024. She is now reunited with her parents Charles and Anna Schneider; husbands Delno Francis Johnson and Robert L Wilkinson; sons Michael and George Johnson; grandson Scott Johnson; brother Lawrence Schneider; and sisters Doris Mcattee, Elna Arnold, and Wilma Lee.
Apart from her professional achievements, Nira found joy in spending time with her family and grandchildren. Her presence at every family gathering never went amiss - a testament to her love and devotion to those she held dear. Nira also enjoyed working tirelessly both professionally and personally alongside pursuing interests such as bookkeeping and traveling.
