Laurel Kay Hanson Cox, 88, passed away June 16, 2022 in Lehi, Utah. She was born February 26, 1934 to the late Robert Gordon Hanson and Thelda Evans Hanson Fox. She married Nyle Malin Cox in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 18, 1952.

Kay attended Lehi schools, graduating in 1952 as Valedictorian of Lehi High School. After graduation she married Nyle and moved to Provo while he finished his degree at BYU. Soon after they moved to Orem. Nyle and Kay had both been raised on farms in Lehi, so when Nyle's father sold his small farm, they bought it and moved back to Lehi.

By this time they had three children. The next year they became one of the early families involved with the Indian Placement Program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the years they became strong proponents of the program, and Kay was very involved in its activities. They had a total of 13 students live with their family, who attended Lehi schools. She directed the pageant, From the Eagle's Bed, that the local Indian students participated in.

In 1978, along with raising her six children and several Indian students, she graduated from BYU with her Baccalaureate degree. Her graduating thesis was the book authored and published, Without Reservation, about her family's experiences with the Indian Placement Program.  She was active in her ward, helping with roadshows, miniature parade floats, plays, serving as Young Women's President, Primary President, and various teaching assignments. She was especially good with the teenagers. She raised several of her grandchildren as well.

Kay loved working on the farm and spending time with kids. She built a camper, tried her hand at stone sculpting, woodworking, and wrote short stories and two other unpublished books. She sewed most of her children's clothes.

Most of all Kay loved her 8 children and 26 grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren, including her Indian children and their families. She lived with her face toward building Zion! She is survived by her beloved husband, Nyle, children; David (Zina), the late Kalin Bline, Jordan, Carolyn Bradshaw, Nathan (Erin), Kristi Seely, Loren and Kelly Ann (who died in infancy), sisters Sharon (George) Hallam and Rosalie Bibby, and foster children; Vernon, Iva Jane, Maybell, Ernie, Anna, Ervin, Kim, Evelyn, Cathy, Noreen, Valencia, Ivan, and McCartney.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 11:00 AM in the Lehi South Stake Center, 600 South 500 West. A viewing will take place on Monday, June 20, 2022 from 6-8:00 PM at Wing Mortuary, 118 East Main, Lehi, Utah and another viewing from 10-10:45 AM prior to the service at the church. Interment, Lehi City Cemetery.

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