Linda Louise (Weber) Dickerson was born on May 26, 1940 at Mare Island Naval Station by Vallejo CA to Kenneth Charles and Valerie June (Loomis) Weber, the first of two daughters. She passed away October 18, 2023 in Lincoln NE.
As a toddler, Linda was living on the island of O’ahu in Hawaii on December 7, 1941 where her mother saw the faces of the Japanese pilots as they flew over Navy housing that day. Linda and her parents survived and after Linda attended at least 14 schools coast to coast while growing up with a Navy father, Linda graduated in 1958 from San Leandro High School in northern CA. She studied teaching at San Jose State College before marrying Davis (Dave) Warren Dickerson on June 18, 1961 whom she had met at a church spaghetti dinner.
In 1962, Linda went to Peru to serve a 2-year stint in the new Peace Corps with her new husband. Dave and Linda created a research and demonstration farm literally from the ground up that included a medical clinic which Linda led that served the Native Peruvian population near Lake Titicaca at 12,500 feet altitude.
Following their Peace Corps adventure, Dave and Linda went to Kalispell MT where their daughter was born. They soon moved to Davis CA for Dave to pursue a master’s degree and start a long career in agriculture education and crop sciences which took them to Erie PA, Harlan IA and finally to York NE where they spent over 45 years until last year.
Linda led the raising of their three children and was a trailblazer again by seeking to work outside of the home after the kids all entered school because “she was bored”. She played key administrative roles wherever she worked including long stints at Pieper’s True Value Hardware Store in downtown York and serving as the right hand of the City of York’s Public Works Director.
At the City offices, Linda was self-taught on personal computers and then the internet as they arrived. She designed York’s first web site and many other data tracking systems that underlie public works operations to this day. She had fun saying she personally drew the infamous York I-80 water tower balloon operational drawing for the painters to follow that serves as York’s logo today.
Linda was an active member of York Presbyterian Church for many years. There she organized a first-ever live Nativity with people and animals. She was an integral leader in the youth group program for several years that touched the lives of dozens of middle and high school youth who have fond memories, supportive relationships and lessons learned still impacting them to this day.
After retirement, Linda conducted a long-awaited attached garage/living room addition to their historic 1900 “saltbox” farmhouse. Her attention to detail and artistic eye resulted in a remodel true to its Craftsman style down to the last brick and floorboard much admired by all that have seen it.
Linda in her spare time also loved cooking new recipes, reading, plants, cats and following her grandchildren’s pursuits–including many a softball game near and far. Linda was an intrepid traveler throughout her life journeying to CA, HI, CO and Mexico with family and even to Galapagos Islands in Ecuador for her daughter’s wedding. Just this year she flew to NC for her granddaughter’s college graduation.
Linda enjoyed her final year and half at Oxbow Living Center in Ashland where she made many friends among staff and residents and enjoyed the geese on the pond out her window.
Though quieter in manner than her husband, she will be remembered by many for her quick, “sassy” wit—including by the wonderful Bryan East staff in her very last days.
Linda is survived by her three children – Amy Dickerson and husband Walter Cordova of Lincoln NE; Ross Dickerson of Fort Collins CO; Bruce Dickerson and wife Carrie of York NE; five grandchildren – Marvi, Daphnne and Floreana Cordova; Ryan and Sydney Dickerson; and one great grandchild – Anthony Cordova and several step grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sister Susan Weber & Edgar Enanoza of Livermore CA, brothers-in-law Alfred (Bud) & wife Pat Dickerson of San Diego CA and Dean & wife Susan Dickerson of Lincoln CA; along with many nieces, nephews and their families throughout the country.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Davis (Dave) Dickerson last November after over 61 years of marriage, her parents, Kenneth (Ken) & Valerie Weber of Fremont CA; her parents-in-law Gordon & Myra Dickerson of Lincoln NE, brother-in-law and wife Malcolm (Mal) & Vera Dickerson of Kintnersville PA; sister-in-law Jean Dickerson of Sacramento CA; and niece Dorothea Dickerson of Blacksburg VA.
In lieu of flowers & plants, the family requests memorial funds go to York Adopt-a-Pet.
A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of York on Friday, November 17, 2023 at 10:30 am with fellowship lunch to immediately follow at the church. Graveside service procession will leave the church at 1 pm to be held at Greenwood Cemetery in York. Linda’s service will be livestreamed on Metz Mortuary’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl1ffBwglpCqu7nKkx42SzQ
It was Linda’s wish to be cremated, no viewing. Visitation will be at Metz Mortuary in York from 1-8 pm on Thursday, November 16, with family present from 2-4 pm.