It is with deep love and heartfelt remembrance that we announce the passing of Barbara Joan Nikont on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at the Residency Care Center in Scottsbluff at the age of 88. Born on March 10, 1937 in Edmore, Michigan to Arthur William and Hazel B. (Henry) Gibbons, Barbara lived a life marked by devotion, kindness, and steadfast commitment to her family, friends, and community.
Barbara was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose warmth and matter-of-fact spirit touched many. Whether volunteering or quietly supporting her loved ones through the years, Barbara embodied the quiet dignity of a life lived in service and love.
On June 6, 1952 she was united in marriage to Theodore H. Nikont in Mecosta, Michigan. She then came to her husband’s home in Hemingford, Nebraska. In her marriage, Barbara found a lifelong partner with whom she shared joys and sorrows, built a home, raised children, and celebrated milestones large and small. As a mother, she cared for her children—sometimes a bit sternly—but always from a place of love, ensuring they were on the right path. As a grandmother and great-grandmother, she delighted in their laughter, adventures, and accomplishments, always ready with a kind word, a gentle hug, or something she had knitted, crocheted, or quilted.
Barbara’s interests and passions enriched her life and the lives of those around her. She took pride in her home and garden, for many years on the farm growing enormous gardens and winning dozens of ribbons at the Box Butte County Fair for her flowers and produce. She found comfort and refuge in her faith, volunteering for over 40 years as a Sunday School teacher, member of the United Methodist Women, and Gideons Auxiliary. She was known as “Grandma Barb” to the hundreds of elementary students who she assisted and mentored at Hemingford Elementary in over 17 years of volunteering as a foster grandparent. She loved gardening, crocheting, knitting, quilting, sewing, and reading.
Her legacy is one of quiet strength and perseverance. Though the physical presence of Barbara will be dearly missed, her influence endures in the values she passed on—gentleness tempered with resolve, the importance of family and friendship, and the simple, powerful act of showing up for one another.
She is survived by her son, Mark (Suzanne) Nikont of El Paso, TX and her daughter, Diana Dempsey of Colorado Springs CO, her 4 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and her sister, Alice Blount of Pea Ridge, AR. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sons, Raymond L. Nikont and David A. Nikont, and 8 brothers.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hemingford United Methodist Church. Pastor Suyeol Bae will officiate. Cremation will follow the service and interment at the Hemingford Cemetery will be at a later date. Visitation with the family present will be Sunday, Nov. 16 from 2-4 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home in Hemingford.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to a charity of your choice, so that her spirit of giving may continue to shine.
Resting now in peace, “Grandma Barb” leaves behind a grateful family, a community enriched by her spirit, and many hearts forever changed by her presence. May her memory be a blessing.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.