Mary Irene (Nee Breiner) Cox, age 86, died at Israel Family Hospice House, Tuesday, February 20th, 2018. Visitation with family and friends will be on Saturday, March 17th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. with a celebration of life to follow at 3:00 p.m. at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care. 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa.
Mary was born July 11, 1931 in Norton, Kansas to Joseph and Florence Breiner. She graduated from Bradshaw High School at age 17, and left home to become a Western Union Telephone Operator in Indiana. Traveling for job brought her to Spencer, Iowa. She met her future husband Edward Cox and they were married on April 18, 1950 Sioux Falls, South Dakota. To this union there was eight children born. The family moved several times finally settling in 1966. Mary started a long-time career in 1972, working as a CNA at various nursing homes in Ames and retired in 2006.
Mary enjoyed canning, crosswords puzzles, plants, flowers, playing canasta, solitaire, baking, and her cats. One did not dare to visit her during her daytime soap operas. She passed on her love of operas, sewing to her daughters and reading books down to her great-grandchildren. Her family always looked forward to guessing what snack would be in her cake tin.
She is survived by her children, Rhonda Riley (Jeff Green), Nevada, IA, Greg (Debbie) Cox, Huxley, IA, Tari Jo Lee, Des Moines, IA, Wayde (Betty) Cox, Los Fresnos, TX, Danielle (Randy) Brown, Iowa Falls, IA, Claudia "CJ" Kaiser, Ames, IA, twenty-three grandchildren, thirty-nine great-grandchildren, five great- great grandchildren, her sisters, Ruth Keenan, Colorado Springs, CO and Blanche Schenkle, Longmont, CO.
She is proceeded in death by her husband Edward E Cox Sr (3-7-1987), Son Edward "Skip" E Cox Jr (1-8-2015), daughter Vicki Jill Cox (12-28-2017), brothers Eugene Briener and Michael Breiner.
Because Mary loved her ISU Cyclones the family is asking friends and family to wear ISU colors.
Condolences may be sent to Claudia Kaiser 1011 Kellogg #8 Ames, Iowa. 50010.
Donations can be made to the Israel Family Hospice House or the Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com