Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals and Receptions - Raleen Ann Cox 1951 - 2020 - Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions

In Loving Memory of

Raleen Ann Cox

1951 - 2020

In Loving Memory of

Raleen Ann Cox

1951 - 2020

Penwell-Gabel - Funeral Home (913-768-6777) is assisting the family

Raleen Ann Cox, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and teacher, passed away on April 21, 2020. Raleen was born on Nov. 4, 1951 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Ray and Kathleen Yandell. She attended public schools in Marshalltown, Iowa. After high school she attended Mid-America Nazarene College in Olathe, KS, graduating with a B.S. in Education. She received her Master of Arts in Teaching from Webster University. Raleen taught in the Olathe Public Schools for 33 years – all of them at Fairview Elementary School – where she was ever dedicated to her Fairview “Cherubs”. In retirement, Raleen continued her service to education, volunteering weekly at Fairview Elementary School. She was a member of the Olathe Public Schools Retired Educators Association as well as the Women’s Giving Circle. A lifelong member of The Church of the Nazarene, she and Douglas Cox were wed there on May 26, 1973. They raised two children, Jeff Cox and Kari (Cox) Sorg. Raleen cherished (spoiled) her many pets: Jonathan, Sabrina, Bailey, Lucy, Dakota and Brodie. Many have said that if reincarnation exists, they’d want to come back as Raleen’s dog. But above all, she loved being Grandma-saurus Raleen. And there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do, or anything that was too good for her only granddaughter, Avery.

Raleen was preceded in death by her father, Mr. Ray C. Yandell of Marshalltown, Iowa. She is survived by her mother Mrs. Kay Yandell of Marshalltown, Iowa; husband, Douglas Cox of Olathe, KS; son Jeff Cox of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughter Kari (Cox) Sorg, son-in-law Justin Sorg and granddaughter, Avery Sorg, all of Olathe, KS; sister Gayla Jeanne Dunham and brother-in-law Dave Dunham, both of Casper, WY.

Raleen will be cremated with a small service for the family. Later in the summer we will hold a Celebration of Life Service for former students, colleagues, friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the REA Scholarship Fund, c/o The Olathe Public Schools Foundation, 300 E. Loula, Olathe, KS 66061 or made online at www.olathepublicschoolsfoundation.org.

Or Project Starfish https://starfishproject21.org/starfish-project-fundraiser/

To leave a message of condolence for Raleen's family, or to share a special memory of Raleen, click the Share Memories button above.

Penwell-Gabel - Funeral Home (913-768-6777) is assisting the family

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Memories & Condolences

Doug- so sorry for your loss; she was an amazing lady and was a great help to me when I first started teaching. I was able to teach at Fairview one year with her. Her faith and smile were infectious!

Phil

~ Phil Holmes - May 19, 2020

To the Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I taught school with Raleen at Fairview. Our rooms were side by side for years. I have so many good memories of her and I’ll cherish them all. I especially loved her sense of humor, her jokes and her selflessness. She was so generous and always willing to share. Raleen helped me navigate the world of teaching with humor and fun. We both loved our dogs and long ago she gave me a doggie blanket that my dog uses today. She really loved teaching and her family!

~ Linda Wilson - April 28, 2020

To Doug and family, you are in my prayers during this time of loss. Take care.
Marlena

~ Marlena Caldwell - April 27, 2020

Dear Doug, Jeff & Kari:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of your beloved wife and mother. I had the pleasure of teaching along side Rayleen at Fairview during part of my tenure in Olathe as well as being a guest in your home and worshiping with the family at church. She blessed so many lives, mine included. Her significant positive influence will live on in the lives of her family, friends and students for eternity. Doug, your family will remain in our hearts as you treasure your memories.
Darryl & Chris Evans

~ Steven Darryl Evans - April 27, 2020

I was fortunate enough to work a short time with Raleen at Fairview. I loved her spirit and big smile as she worked with students, student's parents and her co-workers. She will be greatly missed and kept in so many hearts for their life times.

Thinking of Raleen and all her family and close friends,
Roxane Bolinger

~ Roxane Bolinger - April 27, 2020

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Raleen Cox and by this note send my prayers to Doug and family. Raleen’s smile and always upbeat personality will be a loss to all.
Ron Wimmer

~ Ron Wimmer - April 27, 2020

Sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

~ David Sasser - April 27, 2020

Raleen was a close friend during our high school years. We went on to be roommates when we first attended Mid-America. I have many fond memories of those years as friends. My deepest condolences to Doug, her mother, and the rest of the family.

~ Virginia Innis Conrad - April 26, 2020

Doug & family, I was so sorry to hear about Rayleen’s passing. I have many wonderful memories of working with her at Fairview elementary from 1977-87. Prayers for your & your family.

~ Paulette Weldin - April 26, 2020

Doug, I am so sad to learn of Raleens' passing. Please know you and the kids are in my thoughts and prayers. Lin

~ Lin Salmans - April 26, 2020

So many fond memories of Raleen. I was lucky enough to work with her from 1996-2002.

~ Lisa Haines - April 25, 2020

Judy and I have great memories with Raleen. We both taught with her. Our relationship dated back to before we were married. She always had a great smile and looked at the glass as being "half full". She was a wonderful wife and teacher. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Doug, Jeff and Kari.

~ Ed and Judy Colson - April 25, 2020

Raleen took pride in and cared about her students, and she continued to for many years after they left in her classroom. I taught at Fairview for a couple years, and enjoyed talking to her years later about how well some of "our" students were doing.

~ Tom Harrington - April 25, 2020

Mrs Cox you will be missed. I am glad I had the great honor of being one of your students and to later have the honor of being the mother of your students. I still use your name to this day as password reminder when asked “who is your favorite teacher”! Rest in Heaven!

~ Reba Paul (Loudermill) - April 25, 2020

Adele & I have been truly honored by our 39 year friendship with Raleen & Doug! We've shared countless memories, as well as, subsequent laughs regarding many of those memories. And, I've so often witnessed Raleen's thoughtfully caring efforts during her years of service on our Olathe District Schools' Retired Employees Board, always focused upon ensuring that our association's scholarship funds were awarded to the most deserving of applicants. And, whenever I visualize Raleen in my "mind's eye" I see her smiling face, which always seemed to be accompanied by her very pleasant laugh and positive disposition!

~ John Kieffer - April 24, 2020

I was so saddened to hear about the loss of our friend and one of Fairview’s finest. Raleen and I were at FV together for over 30 years. She was a fine teacher with a dedicated spirit of educating all her students and loving them through it all. I saw more times than I can count, previous students coming back to visit her and get a little more love from her. She was a disciplinarian, but the kids always knew she cared about them and wanted them to strive to be their best. That’s why they came back to see her. We also had many good times in the teachers lounge, laughing and sharing experiences. I will always be able to see her smiling face. She now has her new, perfect body??

~ Barb Siegfreid - April 24, 2020

Mrs. Cox was the true definition of the best teacher you could possibly ask for. She was like family to us, and I am blessed to have known her. She was hard on me, but I could never thank her enough for that. She was exactly what I needed, and I don’t think she really knew that at the time. Mrs. Cox’s family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. She will be greatly missed.

~ Chloe Chesney - April 24, 2020

My deepest sympathy to all Raleen’s family. May God comfort you snd give you peace.

~ Margaret Gilliland - April 24, 2020

My earliest memories of Raleen are in some mutual required classes at MANC. She was always so kind. Then over the years Rose and I would always stop and visit Doug and Raleen when in KC area for reunions or business. We always enjoyed those times to rekindle memories and get up to date on our families and our fellow classmates. I will miss her. I look forward to seeing her again in heaven!

~ Randy Jones - April 24, 2020

I am so sorry that Raleen left us far too soon. I cherish the early days as a classmate and dorm mate of Raleen's at Mid-America as the college pioneers. Doug was in our wedding, then Randy was in theirs. We had such fun getting together with the two of them every time we visited Olathe and attended the college reunions together. We were visiting in Olathe at the exciting time when Doug and Raleen became grandparents. Raleen was a wonderful person and will be missed.

~ Rose Gammill Jones - April 24, 2020

Such an amazing lady! Always such a smiling & positive disposition! So very thankful for having met Doug & Raleen when Adele & I moved to Olathe in 1981! And truly feel so very blessed for our friendship during these past 39 years! Such a wonderful couple, who's marriage was blessed with two amazing children!

~ John Kieffer - April 23, 2020

What a wonderful cousin raleen was. What Fun family memories I have at Christmas in Marshalltown when aunt kay and Uncle ray would host us at their family home. Later family visits when cousins returned to mtown and we would visit their mother and my parents at their mobile home park ... I will miss raleens sweet disposition and love and acceptance of family... always. Too young to be gone ... so sad for family and friends.

~ Cindy Frederickson - April 23, 2020

What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady.....inside and out.
We didn't get to see each other as much as we would have wanted to,
but each time we just picked right up where we'd left off.
I'm so sorry you had to suffer so much physical pain, especially the last few years.
But I know you are pain free now. Love you, Raleen, my friend.

~ Trudy Evans - April 23, 2020