Jessie Streeter

(From Cheney-Witt Funeral Chapel)

Jessie Margie (Dikeman) Streeter, age 89, a longtime resident of Fort Scott, passed away June 13, 2023.

She was born November 26, 1933, near Pawnee Station, Kansas to William and Bessie (Long) Dikeman. The youngest of six children, Jessie attended rural grade schools in Bourbon County and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1950. She loved school and was especially fond of reading and math.

On December 31, 1950, Jessie married James (Jim) Streeter in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He preceded her in death in 2020. They were best friends who loved being together whether they were roller skating, bowling, playing cards or games, water skiing, golfing, camping, walking, dancing, playing tennis, putting puzzles together, or spending time with their family. 

As travel companions, they toured every US state, most of it pulling a travel trailer behind their pickup truck. Their travels also took them to Canada, Mexico, Austria, and Germany. After retiring, they migrated each winter to the warmer climates of Florida, Texas, and Arizona. They never let their traveling interfere with being at the big and little events of their children and grandchildren, whether near or far. 

It was not uncommon to see them at sporting, musical, and educational activities, as well as birthday celebrations, weddings, or baby showers. Watching and attending Kansas City Royals games also provided much enjoyment for them.

Jessie’s work life began early. During her senior year of high school, she worked part time at Standard Advertising. Shortly after being married, her husband joined the service and was stationed overseas. 

During this time, she worked at Key Work Clothes during the day and at the Liberty Theater in the evening. Once her husband returned and as they started a family, she worked part time at the Federal Land Bank and then at Cullor Limestone. She also worked part time in the office at the First Baptist Church where they were active members for many years. Some may remember her as a long-time secretary at Winfield Scott Elementary School. Her last full-time job was in the Bourbon County Appraisers Office. After retiring, she worked seasonally at Mertz Tax Service.

Jessie especially enjoyed entertaining in her home. She planned and hosted both small and large get togethers for family, friends, co-workers, 4-H, and church groups. Family events almost always included hand-churned homemade ice cream made with her personal recipe. She loved to decorate and took pride in self-designing the rural home they built in 1967. Her passion for decorating continued when they moved to a duplex in Fort Scott in 2011. She also had a knack for growing and displaying beautiful flowers and healthy plants.

Survivors include two children, David Streeter (Debbie), Carl Junction, Missouri, and Susan Kern (Steve), Loa, Utah; six grandchildren, Chris Linder, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Angela Suarez, Pittsburg, Kansas, Nick Streeter, Carl Junction, Missouri, Kelsie McCrea, Peculiar, Missouri, Wes Streeter, Pittsburg, Kansas, and Jason Linder, Clearfield, Utah; and 14 great-grandchildren. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings Alta Carper, Raymond Dikeman, Ruth Dikeman, Frank Dikeman, JoAnn Gilbert, and two great-grandchildren.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, June 27th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:30 A.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.