Clayton Corey

Clayton Corey, 91 of Lake City, passed away Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at Journey Senior Services in Carroll. Clayton was a beloved husband, father, sibling, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his family and a lifelong friend to many who knew him.

Clayton B. was born June 5, 1932, to parents Earl and Ella (Carter) Corey in McCook, Nebraska. He grew up in Nebraska on a farm where he attended grade school and graduated from high school. Clayton worked as a carpenter before being drafted into the United States Army on October 21, 1952, and served his country during the Korean War. He earned the rank of SGT and received two Bronze Clusters.

Clayton moved to Lake City and became a cattle and grain farmer after being honorably discharged from the Army Oct. 20, 1954. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Modrell July 21, 1963, in their hometown of McCook, Nebraska. The young couple lived in Lake City on the Corey family farm, which went on to become a century farm under his leadership in 1982. Their union was blessed with four children: Melanie, Stephanie, Perry and Tiffanie; and they enjoyed 50 years of marriage together before Marilyn’s passing in 2014. He and Marilyn were lifelong members of the Lake City Union Church and enjoyed traveling with his siblings in their retirement years.

Of all the places Clayton and Marilyn visited, home was always their favorite. Clayton took great pride in caring for his cattle and horses, and he had a love of being outdoors including farming, fishing, mushroom hunting, and cattle drives. He was one of the founding members of the Top Rail Saddle Club in Lake City and spent many years cooking breakfast over an open fire for the annual trail ride and working the gate for the rodeo during Western Days. Clayton was also a member of the American Legion. 

He is lovingly remembered by his family for his determination, his storytelling, his orneriness, and his insatiable sweet tooth. He loved playing checkers with his grandchildren and would often burst into laughter when he had one of them “schnookered” or when he managed to sneak them extra Little Debbie’s and M&M’s while Marilyn wasn’t looking. His grandchildren attribute both their work ethic and their disdain for rocks to the many hot summer days spent on the back of Grandpa’s wagon picking them out of the fields.

Clayton’s greatest legacy and proudest accomplishment was his family. He and Marilyn could often be found traveling to attend countless sporting events, concerts, and plays for their children and 12 grandchildren. Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Melanie (Ron) Ludwig, of Lake City; Stephanie (Mike) Patterson, of Auburn; Perry (Stacy) Corey, of Lake City, and Tiffanie (Ron) Saak, of Grundy Center; grandchildren: Allie (Kyle) Ludwig Wegner, Zach and Conner Ludwig, Breanne and John Patterson, Hannah (Ryan) Hill, Sam and Cole Corey, Tiana, Cora, Jessica, and Clay Saak; great-grandchildren: Graylen Ludwig and Parker Hill; siblings: Carolyn Salata, of California; Jerry Corey, of Lytton; Neal (Mary Lee) Corey, of McCook, Nebraska, and Fred (Berniece) Corey, of Arizona. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn (Modrell) Corey and parents Earl and Ella Corey.

The Funeral Service was set for 10:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at the Lake City Union Church. The Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, at the Lampe & Powers Funeral Home . The Burial will take place in the Lake City Cemetery.