Donna Marie Wilcox Cox Sandhofer, age 86, of Waverly, MN, formerly of Minneapolis, died October 2, 2018 at Park View Care Center, Buffalo MN.

Donna was born on September 16, 1932 in River Falls, WI. She was raised in River Falls, the fourth child of Elwood and Ruth (McLaughlin) Wilcox. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers James and Howard. Survived by husband Richard, children Tim Cox (Jo Ann Lawson), Jeanne Hoaglund, Mark Cox (Mary Bishop), Pam Conner (Keith), Beth Krause (Cliff), Lee Ann Cox, Sara Roseth (Doug), 12 grandchildren, brother Duane Wilcox (Joan), as well as other loved ones.

As a graduate of River Falls High School in 1950, Donna wanted to pursue a career in nursing. She was a much beloved and caring person who became a registered nurse at the age of 40, realizing her long-held ambition. Donna worked at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in a Skilled Nursing unit, later at Metropolitan Medical Center as an infection control nurse, and finished her career at Business Health in Chanhassen.

In childhood, Donna enjoyed hunting and fishing with her dad, and gardening, sewing, and baking with her mom. Her later interests included her magnificent flower and vegetable gardens, her cats and her family. For 31 years, she and her husband Richard did creative renovations of rental properties.

A celebration of Donna’s life will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 225 S 3rd St, River Falls, WI with a time of remembrance at 1:00 PM followed by a gathering of family and friends. At Donna’s request, her remains have been cremated and will be interred privately in the Wilcox family plot at St. Bridget Cemetery in River Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.