A Mass of Christian Burial for Brian Thomas Cox, age 32, of Luverne, MN was held on Friday August 24, 2018 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, MN, officiated by Father Tom Jennings. Internment was in St. Adrian Catholic Cemetery in Adrian, MN. Brian passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, while surrounded by his family, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Brian was born on October 9, 1985, to Michael and Cheryl (Schutz) Cox at the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. He was baptized that same day in the hospital. Brian was raised in Luverne, MN and received his education and therapy services at Children’s Care Hospital and School in Sioux Falls, SD. Brian was cared for by the staff of habilitative services at the Christensen House in Luverne, MN for the past number of years. This group of caregivers very much became an extension of his family. His family will be forever grateful for the loving care provided by the staff of his group home, the excellent medical care provided by a countless number of physicians and nurses, and the education provided by his teachers and therapists that allowed him to reach his full potential.
Brian loved water play and swimming, tapping blocks together and spending time with family and his group home staff. He loved licorice, McDonald’s fries and chips. Brian did volunteer work at Rock County Opportunities (RCO).
Brian was a very loved and much treasured member of his family. His amazing spirit and will to live inspired countless people and shaped his family in ways that they readily acknowledge and celebrate. Brian never spoke a single word, but his beautiful eyes spoke volumes. He took great joy in some of life’s simplest pleasures and those who knew him will forever be reminded to do the same.
Brian was not created with a perfect body and over the years, seizures and illness took their toll. Despite all of this, he found the strength and determination to recover until this past week. It was time for him to rest in the arms of Jesus – to be whole and to be without pain.
Brian’s beautiful spirit will continue through his parents, Michael and Cheryl; four siblings and seven nieces and nephews, Ben Cox of Luverne, MN and his son, Micah; Elissa (Andrew) Wenthe of Fayette, IA, and their children, Annaliese, Juliet, Cormac and Dashel; John (Sadie) Cox of Wauwatosa, WI, and their children, Dylan and Owen; Adam Cox of Luverne, MN; maternal grandparents, Virgil and Mary Schutz of Luverne, MN; paternal grandmother, Kay Cox of Adrian, MN; many other aunts, uncles and cousins; along with the residents and caregivers of his group home in Luverne.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Tom Cox; and aunt and uncles, Kathleen and Mark Schutz, and Don Hoemberg.
Hartquist Funeral home was in charge of the arrangements.
