Vrela Marie (Wagner) Cox

Vrela Marie (Wagner) Cox, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Lincoln, CA.

Vrela was born March 23, 1934 in Dodge, NE to Herman and Caroline (Rueschhoff) Wagner.  She grew up and thrived in the small town of Dodge where she attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from Dodge High School in 1952.  At an early age, she learned the piano, playing classical music at contests where she was awarded certificates with superior and excellent ratings. She also played a 32″ bass drum in the high school band which was quite the feat since she was only 5′ tall.

She attended Creighton University in Omaha, NE, graduating in 1955 as a Registered Nurse.  She worked in Omaha at Saint Joseph’s Hospital as a Charge Nurse where she met her husband, Roger Eugene Cox.  Vrela and Roger were married December 27, 1956 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dodge.  They moved to Rocklin, CA in August, 1966 when Roger joined a group as a General Practice Medical Doctor in Roseville, CA.  The couple moved to their home in Granite Bay, CA in May, 1969 where they lived for 37 years and raised their 8 children.  Vrela worked part-time as a nurse at Roger’s office in Roseville and retired in 1997. In 2006 the couple moved to Lincoln, CA.

Vrela was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Roseville, CA.  She often played the organ at Sunday Services.  Vrela loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.  She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, traveling, and RVing.  She was an avid quilter and through the years, well into her 80s, she produced many beautiful quilts, including award winning quilts.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dr. Roger Eugene Cox, their 8 children, Anthony (Jennifer) Cox of Palmer, AK, Susan (Harry) Wowchuk of Canoga Park, CA, Brian (Lara) Cox of Arcata, CA, Elizabeth (Peter) Gephart of Roseville, CA, Barbara (Randy) Fain of Roseville, CA, Andrew (Tamra) Cox or Roseville, CA, Patrick Cox of Antelope, CA, Margaret Cox of Roseville, CA, 19 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, her sister, Jaquenette (Ken) Hartman of Fremont, NE, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Vrela is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Caroline Wagner, and sisters, Orletha (Dean) Kleeman, and Melva (Adrian) Dirkschneider.

If you would like to give something instead of flowers, please consider a donation to Mother of Divine Grace School – https://modg.org/donate. A comment can be added “In memory of Vrela Cox.”

Services will be held at Calvary Cemetery & Funeral Center Resurrection Chapel:

7100 Verner Avenue

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-726-1232

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

10:00 am – Slideshow Tribute

10:30 am – Rosary

11:00 am – Mass

12:00 pm – Committal