Kathryn Ann Cox

Kathryn (Kathy) was born, Kathryn Ann Downey on September 5, 1943 to Cornelius and Joy Downey at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Kathy attended elementary school at Washington Township and graduated from high school at Minburn High School in Minburn, IA. Kathy went on to Mercy School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa, where she graduated as a Registered Nurse. In 1964, she took a job at the Woodward State Hospital where she met Margaret Cox, mother of Jim Cox. She and Margaret attended a nursing conference one day and Kathy met Jim when Margaret and Kathy arrived at Margaret’s farm home outside of Woodward after the conference. A romance ensued and a journey of love was initiated.

Jim and Kathy were married on October 1, 1966 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Perry, Iowa. They began their married life in Woodward and moved to Granger after building a home in 1973. We were members of Assumption Catholic Church in Granger and were embraced by the church community as well as the whole town as many terrific friendships were built and continue to be treasured.

Jim and Kathy were blessed with 5 children. Jamie Cox (Terry) live in Granger, Iowa. Stephanie (Manny) Dowden reside in Santa Cruz, CA. Joe Cox (Kim) live in Granger, Iowa. Susan (Scott) Kelton live in Mesa, AZ. Stacie (Joe Pacheco) reside in Golden, Co.

Kathy worked throughout her marriage at a variety of nursing jobs. When Jim worked days, Kathy worked nights and vise versa. Kathy’s family was always close by, so, Jim, Kathy and the children had a close relationship with her parents as the family grew. Kathy loved vacationing in Wisconsin and enjoyed the sun. Later in life, Kathy enjoyed a few cruises in the Caribbean. She and Jim traveled to Hawaii several times and visited Spain as well. She enjoyed her life, but her children were her greatest blessing and she felt God’s most treasured gift to her. Kathy retired from Principal Financial Group and purchased a property in Mesa, AZ where Kathy enjoyed several winters before Jim retired. Kathy later sold the family home in Granger and moved to Arizona permanently where she enjoyed the moderate winters. Kathy had developed kidney disease and passed on Feb. 12 with Jim and 4 of her children at her side. The week before she died, she was able to have all 5 children at her bedside sharing their wonderful memories.

A memorial service will be held at Assumption Church in Granger on June 25, 2019 at 3:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Assumption Catholic Church in Granger.