Wana Lee Cox, 102, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away May 14, 2026, at her home. She was born December 2, 1923, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Earl and Mamie (Butcher) Poorbaugh.
Wana has resided in Sterling since 1938, formerly of rural Sylvia, Kansas. She graduated from Sterling High School, with the class of 1942. Wana worked for the Mid Kansas Telephone Company as a secretary and operator for many years.
She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, genealogy, and watching Jeopardy. Wana loved spending time with her family and friends and going “downtown” to breakfast at Sterling Café and visiting with everyone. On May 22, 1942, Wana was united in marriage with William M. “Bill” Cox at the Little White Church in Sterling.
After 72 years of marriage, Bill preceded her in death on January 27, 2014.
She is also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Patric Darrel Poorbaugh and James Poorbaugh; and sister, Merry Anne Lorimar.
Wana is survived by nephews, Jim Booker and wife Pat of Olathe, KS, Don Cox and wife Sarah of Phoenix, AZ, Bill Cox and wife Cindy of Phoenix, AZ, Mark Cox and wife Lisa of Phoenix, AZ, Allan Cox of Phoenix, AZ, and David Poorbaugh of Cedar Rapids, IA; nieces, Carol Whitlock and husband Roger of Surprise, AZ, Kathleen Cull and husband Tim of Phoenix, AZ, Deeann Stover and husband Roy of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Debbie Lorimar of El Dorado, KS; numerous great-nieces and nephews; numerous great-great nieces and nephews; the girls, Tracy and Candice Groth of Sterling, KS; and best friends; Jerry Bourgain of Sterling, KS, Faira Buckman of Sterling, KS, and Dennis & Brenda Haulman of Montrose Colorado.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Friday, May 29, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church, Sterling, with Pastor Dale Jordan officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Memorials may be given to Gentiva Hospice in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.