Jay LeRoy Webster was born in Gordon, NE on January 12, 1930 to Jim and Faith (Johnson) Webster. He was the sixth of seven children. He passed away June 10, 2023 at Pioneer Manor in Hay Springs, NE.
Services for Jay LeRoy Webster will be Thursday, June 15 at 10am at the First Presbyterian Church in Gordon, NE.
Jay grew up on the family farm just north of Gordon and attended school in Gordon. On the farm they grew winter wheat, potatoes, and had a few cows. Selling milk, cream, and eggs supplied the money for daily living expenses.
On May 20, 1948 Jay married his high school sweetheart, Irma Dahlgrin, and they joined his parents on the farm. A daughter Carol was born in 1950 and a son Scott was born in 1951. Jay & Irma spent the next 70 years together.
They farmed north of Gordon for nearly 20 years. Jay also held several part time jobs over the years in the Gordon area. There was always plenty of work, but they had great friends and many good times. There was always time for a shared meal or a cup of coffee and a few games of cards. Jay & Irma were active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Gordon and served in many capacities over the years.
In 1967 the family embarked on a new adventure, moving to a ranch located at Lake Francis, Manitoba, Canada (about 50 miles northwest of Winnipeg). They spent approximately 20 years in Manitoba, making more lifetime friends and memories during that time. One of the highlights of that time was living near three of their young grandchildren and being “Pa” and “Ma” to Daniel, Andrew, and Sara.
In 1988 Jay & Irma returned to Gordon. Jay worked at Gordon Livestock Market as the yard foreman. When it was time to semi-retire, he worked part time for the City of Gordon, taking care of the cemetery, Gordon True Value, and managed the local carwash for several years. He was always willing to “go the extra mile” to make sure the job was done right.
Jay was preceded in death by his wife Irma; parents Jim & Faith Webster; father-in-law Melvin Dahlgrin and mother-in-law Thelma (Robert) Bowers; brothers Glenn (Evelyn), Dan (Irene), and Bill; sisters Alice (Ray) Ebsen and Mary Ann Ritter; brothers-in-law Ralph Miller and Charles (Vera) Dahlgrin; granddaughter Jenny Child and great granddaughter Jenna Rose.
Surviving Jay are his daughter Carol (Bob) of Gordon, NE and son Scott (Lola) Webster of Lake Francis, MB; sister Betty Jean Miller of Rapid City, SD; sister-in-law Neoda Webster of Ellensburg, WA; grandchildren Kristi (Gary) Rose and Jay (Carrie) Child of Gordon, Dan Webster of Lake Francis, MB, Andrew Webster of Winnipeg, MB, Sara (Corey) Gingera of Warren, MB, J J Whiteway and Vera Ferriera of St Laurent, MB, Chelsea Ferriera of Winnipeg, MB, Tina Ferriera of Lake Francis, MB; 18 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
A memorial has been established for the First Presbyterian Church of Gordon and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.