Alvera Marie Cox

Alvera Marie Cox, the daughter of Henry and Emma Kristine (Hansen) Petersen, was born on January 23, 1922, in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cordova, Nebraska. As a young woman, she worked for six and one-half years as a nurse’s aid at the York General Hospital in York, Nebraska. On December 19, 1948, Alvera married Eugene Cabel Cox at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cordova, Nebraska. The couple moved to their own farm near Kimballton, Iowa, in 1956. They retired to Harlan, Iowa, in March, 1994. She became a resident of Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan in November, 2000. Eugene died on March 12, 2004, in Harlan.

Alvera enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, and reading.

Alvera M. Cox died on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at the Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 88 years, 4 months, and 14 days.

Alvera was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene Cox; and three brothers, Clayton Petersen, Norval Petersen, and Willard Petersen. She is survived by one son, Morris (Kathy) Cox of Audubon, Iowa; one daughter, Lyn (Richard) Hansen of Audubon, Iowa; three brothers, Merlin Petersen, Maynard (Faye) Petersen, and Darwin (Beverly) Petersen, all of York, Nebraska; one sister, Erma Hoffman of York, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Michelle (Andy) August, Mike (Athena) Hansen, Scot (Jen) Hansen, Angela (Chris) Weston, and Renee (Scott) Griffith; and eight great-grandchildren, Alex, Maddy, Dek, Wyatt, Derek, Grant, Megan, and Kaitlyn.

Graveside services and burial were held on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Heather Ploen officiating. Casket bearers were Scott Griffith, Chris Weston, Scot Hansen, Mike Hansen, and Andy August. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.