DODGE CITY - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Esther Monica (Tieben) Cox. She passed away Thursday morning, December 11, 2025, at the age of 85 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Born October 26, 1940, in Windthorst, Kansas, to Bernard (Benny) and May (Larson) Tieben. Esther lived a life of kindness, strength, and love for everyone her life touched.
She married Kenneth (Kenny) Cox, on April 23, 1960, in Windthorst, Kansas. Together, in Dodge City, Kansas, they raised three children and built a home rooted in kindness, faith, hard work, and friendship. A woman of deep Catholic faith, Esther believed in and practiced the “Power of Prayer” every day of her life. She was a giving person who would help anyone in need. She also volunteered at many places including her church, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Dodge City Hospital. She had a love of reading and retired from the Dodge City Public Library in 2008.
Her joy was spending time with her family. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Kenny; her children, Debbie Cox of Dodge City, Ken Cox and partner, Lisa Douglass of Lenexa, Kansas, Connie (Jeff) Adams of Beloit Kansas; three grandsons, Jordan (Cierra) Adams, Jadon Adams and Jace Adams; two granddaughters, Claire (Cox) Haeusser and Kate Cox; and three great grandchildren, twins Ellie and Easton, and Koe Adams. She is also survived by two sisters, Jane Nelson and her best friend, Marlene Humphries, and brother, Benny (Dixie) Tieben.
She is preceded in death by her parents, twin brother, Lester Tieben, and her big brother Jimmy Tieben. She also had two siblings who died as infants: brother, Tommy and sister, Dorothy.
Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, December 23, 2025 10:30 am with a Rosary prior to mass at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City with Fr. Wesley Schawe presiding. Inurnment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Windthorst at 1:30 pm with Fr. John Forkuoh presiding. There will be no public viewing, as cremation has taken place.
The family suggests memorials to the Friends of the Library and Windthorst Heritage Inc., both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.zieglerfuneralchapel.com
