Obituary for Denny Wilkins
Denny Wilkins, age 74, of Arlington, NE, passed away, January 7, 2021, at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha after a month battle of health complications as a result of COVID-19. He was surrounded by his four children that adored him.
Denny was born December 21, 1946, in Fremont, NE, to Bob and Marian (Menking) Wilkins and grew up on the family farm in the Kennard/Arlington area.
Denny was a 1965 graduate of Arlington High School and received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the College of Agriculture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1969 and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1971.
He has been a farmer (soybeans, corn, alfalfa hay, cattle and hogs) in the Arlington area since he completed his education. He began farming with his father Bob Wilkins and has continued that legacy farming with his sons Ben and Brett. Denny married Charlene Ahlborg on March 24, 1973, in Millard, NE. After marriage, they farmed east of Arlington, on the original farm started in 1940 by Denny’s grandfather G.C. Wilkins.
Denny served on the Arlington Public School board from 1986-2001. During that time he was instrumental in establishing the Arlington Education Foundation. He also served on the Educational Service Unit #3 from 2002 up until his passing. In the Wilkins family he was a 3rd generation Superintendent for the Open Class Hog Show for the Washington County Fair for 25 years. He was a member of the Washington and Saunders County Cattlemen’s Association. Denny was a passionate John Deere antique tractor collector, having over 55 tractors (mostly antique). Denny was an avid NASCAR fan as well as a world traveler visiting 17 countries. He was a life-long blood donor, donating more than 12 gallons of blood.
He is survived by his sons, Brett (Michelle) Wilkins, Ben (Kiley) Wilkins both of Arlington; daughters, Brittany Wilkins of Tokyo, Japan, and Brianne (Matt) MacDonald of Millard; mother of his children, Char Wilkins Conway; dear friend and companion, Tara Wernke; sister, Bev (Norb) Cent and brother, Tom (Mardell) Wilkins both of Arlington; 11 grandchildren: Riley, Kobe, Brodie, Gradi, Nathan, Blake, Addison, Shawn, Jayson, Dallan and Marren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Marian Wilkins and his grandson Alex Wilkins.
The visitation will be Wednesday, January 13, 2021, from 2:00-3:00 PM for family, 3:00-8:00 PM at Reckmeyer-Moser Funeral Home.
The funeral with live streaming at www.mosermemorialchapels.com will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont with a graveside service following at the Arlington Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Arlington Education Foundation and the Arlington FFA chapter.
Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com.
Reckmeyer – Moser Funeral Home, 232 W Eagle St, Arlington, NE 68002 402-478-4151
Denny was born December 21, 1946, in Fremont, NE, to Bob and Marian (Menking) Wilkins and grew up on the family farm in the Kennard/Arlington area.
Denny was a 1965 graduate of Arlington High School and received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the College of Agriculture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1969 and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1971.
He has been a farmer (soybeans, corn, alfalfa hay, cattle and hogs) in the Arlington area since he completed his education. He began farming with his father Bob Wilkins and has continued that legacy farming with his sons Ben and Brett. Denny married Charlene Ahlborg on March 24, 1973, in Millard, NE. After marriage, they farmed east of Arlington, on the original farm started in 1940 by Denny’s grandfather G.C. Wilkins.
Denny served on the Arlington Public School board from 1986-2001. During that time he was instrumental in establishing the Arlington Education Foundation. He also served on the Educational Service Unit #3 from 2002 up until his passing. In the Wilkins family he was a 3rd generation Superintendent for the Open Class Hog Show for the Washington County Fair for 25 years. He was a member of the Washington and Saunders County Cattlemen’s Association. Denny was a passionate John Deere antique tractor collector, having over 55 tractors (mostly antique). Denny was an avid NASCAR fan as well as a world traveler visiting 17 countries. He was a life-long blood donor, donating more than 12 gallons of blood.
He is survived by his sons, Brett (Michelle) Wilkins, Ben (Kiley) Wilkins both of Arlington; daughters, Brittany Wilkins of Tokyo, Japan, and Brianne (Matt) MacDonald of Millard; mother of his children, Char Wilkins Conway; dear friend and companion, Tara Wernke; sister, Bev (Norb) Cent and brother, Tom (Mardell) Wilkins both of Arlington; 11 grandchildren: Riley, Kobe, Brodie, Gradi, Nathan, Blake, Addison, Shawn, Jayson, Dallan and Marren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Marian Wilkins and his grandson Alex Wilkins.
The visitation will be Wednesday, January 13, 2021, from 2:00-3:00 PM for family, 3:00-8:00 PM at Reckmeyer-Moser Funeral Home.
The funeral with live streaming at www.mosermemorialchapels.com will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont with a graveside service following at the Arlington Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Arlington Education Foundation and the Arlington FFA chapter.
Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com.
Reckmeyer – Moser Funeral Home, 232 W Eagle St, Arlington, NE 68002 402-478-4151