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IN MEMORY OF KATHY
Who taught us many things, but none more important
than being ready!
At 4:40 a.m. on February 14, 1962, Orville Harry Eckhoff and Lorraine Frieda Eckhoff welcomed their third child and only daughter, Kathleen Dee. Her brothers were Jurgen Carl "Butch" and Robert Orville. She was born in O'Neill, Nebraska. Her baby book says she first smiled at 7 weeks 1 day old. She attended Christ Lutheran School from kindergarten through 8th grade; from 9th grade through graduation, she attended public school in Norfolk, Nebraska. She loved music and was involved in the orchestra, marching band, choir, as well as other special musical groups. Kathy played the piano, organ, and flute. It was in 9th grade choir that she met Marcus Austin Cox. After high school Marc joined the military and went to Germany, Kathy went to Midland Lutheran College to study to become a respiratory therapist. When Marc returned from Germany, Kathy left school to marry him in DeRidder, Louisiana. Though they were poor, they loved Louisiana and had their first daughter, Melanie Beth, there. When Melanie was 8 months old they were transferred to Heidelberg, Germany. Their love for Heidelberg led them to stay there from 1985 through 1996. In 1996 the family (with the addition of three boys: Tracey Michael, David Alan, and John Marc), moved to Springfield, Missouri. They were in Springfield for 5 years. When the opportunity arose, they returned to Heidelberg. Kathy worked for the community directorate of public works. Besides rearing four children, she was active in church, in the military community, and in the lives of many many people. She was diagnosed with MS in 1996. She was active in MS support groups and spent hours counseling, consoling, and comforting others with this disease. She was determined to not let the disease rule her life and went to great effort to live as normally as possible. On December 24, 2005, she was released from the battle and went to the bosom of her Lord.
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