Kelli Koleen Cox, age 63, of Moravia, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2022 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.
Kelli was born on August 2, 1958 in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Kenneth and Judy (Smith) Klenk. Following high school, she furthered her education at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Education. On April 10, 1982, Kelli was united in marriage to Bryan Cox in Moravia, Iowa. To this union, three children were born, Tarah, Whitney and Tanner.
Kelli began teaching at Moravia Community Schools in 1980. She taught 4th grade for several years. She especially enjoyed the Annual Flower Hunt with the kids. While at Moravia schools, Kelli also coached high school softball for 3 years, and Jr. High boys and girls track for 18 years. In 2017, she retired from teaching and coaching, but loved being a substitute teacher for a few years until she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Kelli loved spending time with her family.
Left to cherish Kelli’s memory are her husband of almost 40 years, Bryan Cox of Moravia; her parents, Kenneth and Judy Klenk; granddaughter, Lexi Cox; her children, Tarah (Matt) Wright and their children, Kayden and Caison, Whitney Cox (Cody) and their children, Noah, Madi, Sylar, and Keaton, and Tanner (Alesha) Cox and their children, Jace, Kynslee, and Charlee; siblings, Kory (Rhonda) Klenk and their children, Chase, Bryana, and Bryce, Kenton (Jill) Klenk and their children, Andrew, Emily, and Elizabeth, and Kaci (Scott) VanDalen and their children, Annika and Lainey; Kelli’s in-laws, Marla (Steve) Smith and their children, Kari and Bracken (Savannah) Smith and their child, Kohen, Kevin (Katy) Cox and their children, Ben, Sophie and Henry; and Amy (Chris) Spencer and their children, Finley, Kenna, and Jaida; her mother-in-law, Judy Cox; as well as several friends and extended family members.
Kelli was preceded in death by her grandparents, Russell (Florene) Klenk and Howard (Louise) Smith; father-in-law, Dale Cox; and a niece, Taylor Mattly.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM, Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in Moravia with Pastor Terry Chapman officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will take place Monday, April 11, 2022 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Moravia, beginning at 10AM, with the family greeting friends from 5-8PM. Memorials have been established to the Family of Kelli Cox, to be determined at a later date, and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, ATTN: Cox Family, 1900 South 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
