Betty Ann (Krenke) Cox, 93 of Mtn. Grove, MO was born November 15, 1931, in Hebron, Nebraska the daughter of Henry and Gertrude (Opfer) Krenke. She gained her wings on July 18, 2025, in her home with her daughter by her side, after a short illness.

Betty grew up on a farm, where she said she could drive a tractor with the best of them. She graduated from Deshler High School in 1950. After graduation she moved to Lincoln, and shared an apartment with her sisters. While there, she met a young man, Ronald Cox, who was originally from Missouri and was serving in the Air Force. They were later married on May 31, 1959 and to this union two children were born, Sherl and Gary.

After Ron got his FAA certification as an Air Traffic Controller, they moved to Los Angeles, where he worked at LAX. They later moved to Lancaster California, where he worked from the Palmdale Airport control tower, and Betty worked at Edwards Air Force Base for a time as a secretary. Ron took early retirement in 1978 due to health reasons. The family moved to Missouri in July 1979.

Betty was the friendly receptionist at the Mountain Grove News Journal for several years. After retirement, she became very active in quilting, having immense patience and talent and producing many beautiful quilts, most of which have been shared with family and friends. She was always an accomplished seamstress, even making some of her children's clothes, and her husband's dress shirts and slacks; plus dozens of crocheted afghans and needlepoint crafts.  Besides quilting, she loved doing Sudoku and Tanglewords puzzles, watching the deer and birds outside, and keeping up with all the latest news on her tablet. She took life easy the last few years, and it was well deserved.

Betty accepted Christ into her life at an early age, and was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church for many years, where she was active in Lydia Circle.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; son, Gary; her parents; her sisters, Arleen (Carle) and Delores (Ken). She is survived by her daughter and caregiver Sheri Harrison; granddaughter Janelle (Isaiah); grandson Paxton (Shelbee); great grandchildren Raelynn, Marcella, Tahlia, Winston, Abigail, Jayden, Xander, Kason, and Joseph; brothers Rueben and Kenneth (Wanda); several nieces, nephews, church family, friends, her son's beloved dog Titus, and lap cat Kali.

Mom: Thank you for letting me care for you the last 4 years. I was so blessed. The time just went way too fast, and this house is so empty without you. What I wouldn't give for one more conversation, one more meal together. As you took your last breath, I knew exactly why I'd been placed on this Earth. You took a huge piece of my heart with you, but I am overjoyed that you are Home. You are now healed and reunited with those who went before you.

Until we meet again, goodbye Feisty, and I love you, Sheri

Memorials:

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church at the funeral home, church or the donation link below