DATELINE – Clayton, New Mexico.
NAME: Nils Michael Wikner, age 79, passed away Monday, December 11 2023 at his home in Clayton, New Mexico.
SERVICES: Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date. Please view the online obituary and sign the guest book at www.hassfuneralhome.com.
BACKGROUND: Nils was a beloved husband, father, mentor, and friend. He was born in Pueblo, CO to Nils and Bernadette Wikner Mar 25, 1944. He grew up in Security, CO where he graduated high school and then attended school in Pueblo at Southern Colorado State College, graduating in 1969. In the early 70’s he made his way up to Canada and started his teaching career in Belle River, Ontario. He stayed there til the mid-70s and then moved to Fort Frances, Ontario. Little did he know that when he made that move he would meet the love of his life Lynda Audette. In 1978, they moved to Calgary Alberta where they got married on August 5, 1978. In 1979, they moved to Pueblo, CO where a few years later their daughter Amanda was born. In the summer of 1986, Nils was offered a teaching job in Clayton, NM. After Lynda said they were only going to stay a year and then move on, in 2007 Nils retired from Clayton High School after proudly serving for 21 years. After retirement, Nils couldn’t get away from his passion for teaching. He went back as a substitute and one semester even went back full time.
Nils’ passion for art impacted generations of future artists. His way of teaching brought out talent in his students, and many of them didn’t know they had. He taught with discipline, respect, and heart. He received many accolades over the years from student art shows in New Mexico and Colorado. People would go to the art exhibit at the state fair every year to marvel at his student’s work. In fact, towards the end of his run there the other schools would get jealous of all the attention the CHS Art Department got that they moved his art to the back of the exhibit. That didn’t stop those who came to see.
Nils was always the life of the party. He lived his life to his fullest with no regrets. He enjoyed life and the people he met along the way. He never met a stranger. He would make friends with two or three people before he ever fully got in the door. Part of his likeability was his sense of humor. His off-the-wall comments he would make or the weird things he might do around the house or with his friends will never be forgotten. For many years he documented those moments with his friends and family. He loved to photograph. He didn’t go anywhere without at least one or two cameras. His camera was always glued to his hand. He and Lynda took many road trips over the years and there were many pictures and stories for everyone they took.
His passion for art is what Nils will always be known for. His artwork hangs in many homes across the United States and Canada. He went through many phases, from many years of Southwest Art to Cowboys to in the later years after retirement many cat paintings. If you ever had the opportunity to grace the Winner’s home you would know there is not one blank space on the wall.
Nils was preceded in death by both his parents. He is survived by his wife Lynda of Clayton, NM, his daughter Amanda Berry, and granddaughter Ava Berry both of Amarillo, TX, his brother Lyle and wife Elaine Wikner of Colorado Springs, CO, 4 nephews and one niece.
