Jess Dickinson Webster and Marjorie Jane Webster

Jess Dickinson Webster:  April 17, 1917  -  May 3, 2018
Marjorie Jane Webster:  February 23, 1917  -  April 29, 2018

Marjorie was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 23, 1917 to Claude A. and Ethel Mae (Carlson) Steward. Jess was born in Kearney, Nebraska on April 17, 1917 to Jesse D. and Rose (Zimmerer) Webster.   Marge and Jess met in high school when they were 17 and married three years later in 1937.  They were married nearly 81 years and died peacefully four days apart, with family by their side, in East Flat Rock, NC at the age of 101. 

 They were preceded in death by their parents and siblings. Sadly, they were also preceded by their two older children, Richard Webster and Kathryn Webster Boese.  They are survived by daughters Linda Webster (Wolfe) of Culver City, CA and Phyllis Webster Koenings (Marc) of Fairview, NC.; Grandchildren: C. Kent Boese (Deanna), Scott Boese, Devin Wolfe (Jennifer), Todd Koenings (Tseegii), Stacie Wolfe Balcacer (Gino), Darcie Wolfe (Santos), and Caroline Koenings Kennedy (Matt); Great-grandchildren Kathryn, Jess (Melanie), Clifford, Nolan, Benjamin and Elizabeth Boese; Andrew and Serena Koenings; Lydia and Jonas Wolfe; and Great-great-grandchildren Alexander and Gabriel Boese; cousins, nieces and nephews.

They lived through and told many stories of the Great Depression, Dust bowl and World War II, when Jess served at the U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot in Hastings and in the Marines.  Marge remembered when she was a teenager, cranking up the old Model T and driving her grandparents to Colorado at a steady pace of 35 miles an hour.  Jess remembers meeting Amelia Earhart, working long hours in the family grocery store and great times fishing with his brothers.  They lived in Lincoln, Nebraska for 49 years before moving to North Carolina.  They both enjoyed their work at the University of Nebraska athletic department where they met many wonderful people and they remained dedicated ‘Big Red’ fans.

They loved nature and travel.  Family vacations with the kids were almost always tent camping, often in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.  They took walks together almost every day, outside whenever possible, until shortly before their deaths.  After retirement they worked at Yellowstone National Park and drove around the country, pulling their travel trailer.  Together, they visited 49 states, went to their grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s birthdays and events across the nation, and visited eleven countries on four continents.   

Jess was strong, creative and patient.  Marge was dedicated, fun and feisty.  Together they made the perfect couple!  They created a home filled with togetherness, fun and adventure.  Throughout their lives they taught their family the meaning of love that they showered on each generation, hard work, generosity and appreciation of life’s everyday as well as big moments.  They were inspiring and welcoming to family and friends, co-workers and people they met on their many travels.        Thank you Marge and Jess!

The graveside service and celebration of life for Jess and Marge Webster will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6800 S 14th Street, Lincoln, 68512, followed by a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers they requested donations to the National Park Foundation so that the wonderful times they had, from the peaks of Denali National Park in Alaska to the beaches of the U.S Virgin Islands National Park, could be enjoyed by generations to come.  Donations may be made online at NationalParks.org or mailed to 1111 Vermont Ave, NW, Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20005.  Cards may be sent to The Webster Family at 6355 Green Valley Circle, #111, Culver City, CA 90230.

The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation for the care and kindness given to Marge and Jess by the staff of: College Walk Retirement of Brevard, Tore’s Home Assisted Living of East Flat Rock, Four Seasons Hospice of Henderson County and Asheville Area Alternative Funeral Home of Asheville, North Carolina.

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