Dorothy M. (Rott) (Zenger) Cox

With heavy hearts, we share the loss of Dorothy Marie (Rott) (Zenger) Cox, who entered eternal rest on December 4, 2024, at the age of 93. Born April 12, 1931, on the Rott family farm near Agenda, Kansas, to Joseph and Antonie (Plucar) Rott, Dorothy was a woman of remarkable strength, resilience, and unwavering dedication to her family and community.

Growing up in the Depression, Dorothy learned the value of hard work and resourcefulness at an early age. Those lessons shaped her life and guided her as she found joy in the simple parts of life. Her kitchen was the heart of her home, where family and friends would gather for meals that were prepared with care and served with love.

Dorothy graduated from Agenda High School in 1949. Though she enjoyed playing the accordion in several bands, she began her first “real job” at the Agenda State Bank. On November 12, 1950, she married Walter Zenger, Jr., and together they built a life in Cuba, Kansas, raising three children. Dorothy worked tirelessly alongside Walter on the farm while starting her first career with Frye Enterprises in Belleville, Kansas. Following changes within the company, she took on various small jobs before she began her second career at the Motor Carrier Inspection Station in Belleville, KS, which required her to complete Highway Patrol school. Her years of hunting and fishing with her father and brother led her to outperform her classmates and score the highest marks in the class on the gun range. 

After Jr. (Walter) left us on March 25, 1997, Dorothy remarried Arlie Cox on November 7, 1998, and together, they enjoyed going to ball games, traveling across the country in their motor home, visiting loved ones, and spending time in Branson, Missouri. A highlight of their travels was the WWII Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where they visited the WWII Memorial and saw the plane that saved Arlie’s life. Arlie passed from this life on March 25, 2015.

As a woman of quiet strength and boundless generosity, Dorothy found joy in her garden, sharing its bounty with family and friends. Her baking was legendary—her kitchen was filled with the comforting aroma of kolaches, pies, breads, and cookies, which she lovingly shared with family, friends, and the community. Known as the “Republic County Kolache Queen,” Dorothy and Arlie baked hundreds of kolaches for community events in Cuba and Haddam, creating a legacy of warmth and connection.

Above all, Dorothy was devoted to her family. As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she was where she was needed when she was needed as a steadfast source of love and support whose presence brought comfort and stability to everyone around her. Her kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering presence enriched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her. 

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Walter Zenger, Jr.; her second husband, Arlie Cox; her brother, Maynard Rott; daughter-in-law Tammy (Allen) Zenger; and her step-grandson, Jordan Gausman.

She will forever be remembered by her cherished family, son Nick Zenger and his wife Jenny of Cuba, Kansas, grandson Drew Zenger and great-grandsons Jack and Joe; son Neil Zenger and his partner Sandi Freese of Haddam, Kansas, grandson Dustin Zenger and his wife Lexia and great-grandchildren Etta and Walter, grandson Tyler Zenger and his wife Jordanna and great-grandson KJ, step-grandson James Long and wife Meaghan with step-great-grandsons Carter and Paxton; daughter Nancy Zenger-Beneda and her husband Dan of Cuba, Kansas, grandson Cole Beneda, granddaughter Celsey Crabtree and her husband Austin with great-grandson Paden; step-son Lonnie Cox and wife Pattie of Erwin, Idaho, step-granddaughter Gari Sue Cox, step-grandson Jason Cox and wife Jessica with great-grandchildren Jadyn and Johnnie; step-daughter Kayleen Miller and husband Clell of Beaver, Oklahoma, step-granddaughter Mary Miller with step-great-grandson Michael; step-granddaughter Donna Miller; step-grandson Andy Miller and wife Monica with step-great-grandson Deny with great-great-grandchildren Denver & Dakota; step-granddaughter Anna Chatmon with husband Anthony with step-great-great grandchildren Jordain and Amara; step-great-granddaughter Abby Miller with step-great-great-grandchildren Willi, Hunter, and Jack; step-grandson Joe Miller and wife Adrian and step-great-grandson Jake; step-grandson Robert Miller and wife Kisa with step-great-granddaughter McKensie; step-great-grandchildren Anna, Quinn, and Kate; step-grandson Jeremy Miller and wife Tammie with great-granddaughter Taly and great-great-grandson Ethan; step-granddaughter Stacy Libertowski and husband Brad with great-granddaughter Ruby. 

Dorothy also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and a community of dear friends who will miss her deeply.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the Haddam United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at the Haddam City Cemetery.

Visitation will occur on Tuesday, December 10, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville, Kansas, with the family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dorothy M. Cox Memorial Fund to benefit the communities of Cuba and Haddam. Donations may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Dorothy’s life was one of love, service, and joy. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and community.