Obituary of LeRoy Webster

Memorial Tribute Staff Sergeant LeRoy Otis Webster, the son of Donald and Crystal (Pederson) Webster, was born in Spencer, Iowa on June 21, 1980. He spent his childhood in Hartley, and graduated from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School in 1999. He was united in marriage to Jessica Rieck on July 29, 2000 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hartley. LeRoy and Jessica were blessed to have their first daughter, Natasha, be a witness at their wedding. LeRoy joined the U.S. Army National Guard unit in Spencer, Iowa. He served a one year tour with Homeland Security. After their second daughter, Kaydence, was born, the family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He then served a year-long tour in Afghanistan. He joined the Active Army in March of 2006, and was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. In October of that year he was deployed to Iraq. One month later their third daughter, Jadyn was born. LeRoy returned from Iraq in January of 2008. The family enjoyed a year together at home in Texas before he was once again deployed. While serving near Kirkuk, Iraq on Saturday, April 25, 2009, LeRoy made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He was 28. LeRoy loved being outdoors and spending time with family and friends, whether he was hunting, camping, or just playing in the yard with the girls. He enjoyed taking his wife golfing or on a motorcycle ride. His new-found hobby was playing the Wii with his daughters—they especially loved Guitar Hero. Left to cherish is his memory are his wife Jessica and daughters Natasha, Kaydence and Jadyn; his parents, Donald and Crystal Webster, brother Matt Webster and sister Connie Breon, all of Hartley; his grandmothers, Maxine Webster of Emmetsburg and Carolyn Pederson of Ft. Dodge; Jessica’s parents, David and Nancy Rieck of Hartley; her brothers, Josh and Cari Rieck of Primghar and Joel Rieck of Hartley; her grandparents, Francis and Dee Rieck and Gerald and Alberta Dahnke, all of Hartley; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Dale LeRoy Webster, Wilbur Otis Pederson and Elwayne Jatho; a brother-in-law, Justin Rieck; an aunt, Mary Ann Warren; three cousins: Jennifer Lynn Webster, Michel Green and Nathan Webster. LeRoy will be remembered for his willingness to always go above and beyond the call of duty. He was always there to listen and help—family, friend or soldier—he was there for you when you needed him. We love you and miss you, LeRoy. You are forever in our hearts.