WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Ruth Lorraine Cox, 85, of Marenisco, passed away Monday, July 9, 2012, in Wakefield.

She was born on Sept. 12, 1926, in Wakefield, the daughter of William and Aina (Jacobson) Sampson. Ruth graduated from Wakefield High School in 1944.

On Oct. 22, 1946, she married Virgil Cox in Detroit.

While in Detroit, Ruth worked as a payroll manager.

Her memberships included the Messiah Lutheran Church in Marenisco and the Ladies Auxiliary to Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084. She was a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary to Marenisco American Legion Post 523.


Ruth was a former employee of the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

She was a homemaker, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, and enjoyed family gatherings at her home.

Ruth is survived by two sons, Brian (Linda), Ironwood, and John (Julie), Wakefield; three daughters, Lorraine (Dan) Perotti, Ironwood, Judy (Dallas) Sikes, Farmington, Minn., and Brenda (James) Klingforth, Ironwood; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Donald Sampson, Wakefield, and Robert "Bob" (Paulette) Sampson, Bessemer; three sisters, Elaine Rivas (Joe), of Texas, Shirley (Harold) Aschenbrenner, of Florida, and Karen (Gene) LaCosse, Ironwood; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Virgil, on Nov. 8, 1995; an infant daughter, Mary Jo, on Feb. 5, 1958; a son, James "Jimmy," on Dec. 15, 2009; a great-grandson, Joseph Noel Ryder Jr., on Oct. 11, 2011; and two brothers, Kenny and Eugene Sampson.

The Cox family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, July 13, from 9 to 10 a.m., at Marenisco Town Hall, where a funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. The Rev. Steven Hyvonen will officiate.

Burial will take place in Marenisco Cemetery.

The memory of Ruth will never be lost to those who were lucky enough to know her.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel of Wakefield is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.