Donna G. Cox

Funeral services for Donna G. Cox, 83, of Palo will be 11 am Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at the Heritage Trail Bible Church in McKinley with Pastor Michael Wefel officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Rauha Cemetery in Palo. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Donna died Monday, March 7, 2016 at her home. She was born on September 1, 1932 to Onni and Hannah (Skytta) Johnson in Palo. She grew up and attended school in Palo. Donna married Kenneth Lappi and the couple had six children. They lived in Makinen and Brainerd, NY for sixteen years. Donna returned to Palo to care for her ailing mother. Following Kenneth’s death, Donna achieved a GED and went to work for Erie Mining Company. During that time, she met Carl Cox. The couple married February 23, 1981 in Virginia. Donna enjoyed growing flowers, saunas, baking, and knitting. She was proud of her Finnish heritage. Donna is remembered as a wonderful hostess, opening her home to family and countless friends. Survivors include her husband, Carl; six children: Diane Lappi of Palm Desert, CA, Kathy Lappi of Hemet, CA, Randy (JoAnn) Lappi of Palm Bay, FL, Kevin (Cheryl) Lappi of Agoura Hills, CA, Danny Lappi of Buford, GA and Ricky (Karen) Lappi of Casar, NC; two grandchildren: Dr. Stacy (Khanh) Baumann-Tran of CA and Shaun Kenneth Lappi of NC; two great-grandchildren: Kai Darren Tran and Kayla Mai Tran; four nephews and nieces: Wallace (Arlene) Johnson of Biwabik, Warren (Arlene) Johnson of GA, Clyde Johnson of CA and Brenda (Donald) Oseland of Stillwater, MN. She was preceded in death by her first husband: Kenneth Lappi; grandson: Darren Daniel Baumann; four brothers: LeRoy, Howard, Arthur, and Glenn Johnson; and her parents.