Edith (Edie) Irene Bear Leffingwell was born September 9, 1934, in Las Animas, Colorado, where she grew up. She often spoke fondly of spending time with her grandmother, Parthena, while her parents, Walt and Vineta, worked in their farm implement store. Together, Edie and Parthena collected buttons, cooked, and quilted. Edie and her brother Ed also spent time watching their dad in his woodworking shop and with their mom, who instilled in Edie her independent spirit and love for mathematics.

Edie graduated from college in Ottawa, KS, where she was told about her career choice that “women can’t be accountants.” Although she worked as a school teacher and then as a secretary, she of course later proved them wrong and spent most of her career as an accountant. She met her husband, James Leffingwell, in Ottawa and together they had three children. The youngest, Jay Allen, died at age six of leukemia. Edie is survived by son Michael and daughter Janice (Gary).

Edie was always creating something; her hobbies included sewing, crochet, knitting, painting, and paper crafts. She tackled all kinds of home improvement and DIY projects and believed anything could be accomplished with the right tools, a little elbow grease, and a lot of gumption. Edie was famous for coming up with fun gifts, especially for kids, like silly gadgets, rocket balloons, or cash buried inside handmade nesting envelopes. She was an excellent cook and loved to experiment with new recipes. She volunteered for several organizations over the years, including the Red Cross, Shepherd’s Center, and Meals on Wheels. Edie loved nature and bird-watching, and her dog Ella was a beloved companion for many of her later years. She was an avid Chiefs and Royals fan and enjoyed listening to the radio commentary while she watched the games on TV. She had a great sense of humor and laughed easily. She will be sorely missed by those who loved and admired her strong, independent, caring, funny, and creative spirit.

Edie’s family would like to acknowledge the caring staff at Armour Oaks Senior Living, Agape Managed Care Services, and St. Croix Hospice. We are eternally grateful for all the kindness you showed and care you provided. We are also thankful for the many residents at Armour Oaks who offered friendship and support to Edie and her family throughout the years.