August 30, 1958 ~ February 20, 2021
On Saturday, February 20, 2021, Corrie Lynn Leafty, loving wife and mother of three, died at age 62, in her home of cardiac arrest.
Corrie was born on August 30, 1958 to Bette Ann Bull and Manly Phelps Butler. As a child, her family moved around from time to time, finally settling down back in Nebraska where she graduated from Norris High School in Hickman. Later she attended Central Community College in Hastings, Nebraska, where she studied dietetics. Corrie was a wonderful cook, a humanitarian, and a lifelong learner. On March 16, 1990 she married Virgil Eugene Leafty in the Chicago, Illinois Latter-day Saint Temple. Together they raised three children, Nicole, Elizabeth, and Ryan.
Corrie was a faithful and devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her testimony of the gospel burned brightly. Second to her Heavenly Father and her Savior Jesus Christ, she loved her husband, children, and grandchildren more than anything. She loved talking with people, and especially enjoyed making new friends wherever she went. Her talkative nature, compassion, and good sense of humor made it easy for her to get to know anyone on a personal level.
On her Facebook page Corrie quips, “I’m always a work in progress!” She enjoyed reading, black and white photography, American history & geography, and puzzles. She’d say that a good puzzle is the secret to waiting. She also had a wonderful singing voice and enjoyed music very much.
Corrie was a self-taught cook and loved to cook for anyone who loved her food. She spent a lot of time studying the chemistry of how ingredients worked together and reading through cookbooks. She loved to know the backstory behind each recipe. She often shared her mother’s words of wisdom on how old, written-in cookbooks were the best kind. Through her lifetime she collected hundreds of them, old and new. She especially liked the ones that showed pictures with each recipe.
Corrie was kind, forgiving, and generous, and always wanted to include everyone.
She was preceded in death by her mother Bette Ann Bull; father Manly Phelps Butler; son-in-law Thomas Clement Roti as well as her nephew Adam Reese Marshall.
Corrie is survived by her husband, Virgil Leafty; her daughters Nicole Leafty and Elizabeth Roti-Wunderlich (Warren); her son Ryan Leafty, as well as four grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Kate Arlt Volnek (Gerry) and Judy Baker (Joyce); brothers, Andy Marshall (Cheryl), John Marshall (Kelli), and David Marshall, as well as many nephews, a niece, and other relatives.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 640 N. 56th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in care of Corrie’s family. For those unable to attend the service, there will be a live zoom call to participate. For the link, CLICK HERE.
This obituary is just perfect. Corrie had a heart so big absolutely everyone she met felt her love. She will remain in my heart forever.
Corrie never met a stranger. Her heart is open to all. I love her sense of humor, faith in our Savior and friendship. I will miss her, but know if I see her again I’ll be in God’s presence.
Corrie and I met through a mutual friend and became friends immediately. So many memories of laughing together, spending hours pouring through cookbooks together, and watching our children together. She was very smart and we always had so much to talk about. And laugh about. She was always ready with a hug. She was genuine and kind and very loving. She was a woman true to her faith and I know she lived it and loved it.
Corrie was such a bright spot in our Relief Society classes. She loved those around her and made others feel welcome—a great example to me of Christlike love.
My sincere sympathy to the family.