Tonna Rae (Pechota) Cox, 63, of Colome, South Dakota died March 15, 2016 at Winner Regional Healthcare Center. Born September 12, 1952 to Frank, Jr. and Leona (DuBray) Pechota, she graduated in 1970 from Colome High School and cherished her longtime school friends. Tonna was baptized, confirmed, and later, a sacristan and Eucharistic Minister at St. Isidore's Catholic Church in Colome.

She attended Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD and met her husband of 43 years, Mack Cox. They were married February 3, 1973. After a short time in Virginia, they moved back to Colome to start their family.

Tonna and Mack raised their four daughters in her hometown. She never missed morning coffee with her dear friends Connie Flakus and Kathy Weiler and many other ladies that joined them at the kitchen table. She worked as the city secretary and managed Cox Drywall. Tonna was a member of the Colome School Board, enjoyed working for US Census and was a longtime election volunteer.

Her grandchildren were her greatest treasures. For many years, all the kids enjoyed summer vacations in the Black Hills with Nana and Papa. A love of travel took her all over the world. Over the years, she enjoyed spending time at Katonka Cabin in Hill City and vacations to Rome and Paris with her very special sister-in-law Julie. Tonna and Mack also made time for shorter trips to auctions and other cultural activities.

Tonna's ability to make others laugh was her most admired trait. She taught her daughters and close friends how to see the humor in any situation.

Tonna is survived by her four daughters: Tovi (Jason) Bartels, Winner; Mariah (Ryan) Pokorny, Pierre; Mackenzie (Chris Miller), Okreek; Gabrielle (Ben) Morganfield, Rapid City. She is also survived by her mother Leona Pechota; brothers Terry Pechota, Rapid City and Gary (Julie) Pechota, Hill City and special sister-in-law Sue (Gary) Bolin, Minnesota, and their families.

Nana will be greatly missed by Nealey, Chloe, Karsen, Finn, Elliot, August, Oliver, Pierson, Regan and Crawford.
Preceding her in death were her beloved husband Mack and her father Frank Pechota, Jr.