Roxanne Weaver Caldwell Fee

Roxanne Weaver Caldwell Fee (b. 12/26/41) passed away peacefully on September 10,
2025, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. She was surrounded by her devoted husband,
Graham, her family, and was in the hearts and prayers of so many others who loved
her, learned from her, and now mourn her passing.
Rox was a force of nature, with an outgoing personality, a huge heart, and an iron will.
She believed strongly in education—her own and that of the hundreds of students she
ultimately taught and counseled. Though she suspended her own higher education
when becoming a young mother, she never abandoned her lifelong quest for learning.
She continued to chip away at her studies, and eventually the Carroll Community High
School graduate attended Simpson College and went on to earn her bachelor’s and
master’s degrees in education/psychology from the University of Iowa.
During that time, she also found her voice as an activist and advocate. Coming of age
during the 1960s and ‘70s, she proudly protested the Vietnam War and was a lifelong
supporter of women’s rights and public education. Putting her talents where her heart
always remained, she turned her passion for learning into a passion for teaching.
Rox taught at various schools in Iowa, teaching with her first husband, Bill Caldwell, at
Morning Sun and Wheatland Community Schools. After Bill’s death in 1975, she moved
to Knoxville, where she found her calling as a guidance counselor. She especially loved
helping young people find their passions and talents, steering those who didn’t believe
they could succeed to a brighter future. A stickler for grammar, the one-time English
teacher could also be counted on as the family’s editor—never missing the chance to
turn a speech gaffe into a learning opportunity.
In 1990, she met her husband, Graham Fee. They thought they were going to breakfast
to clarify her insurance policies. But that dry discussion blossomed into a deeper
conversation and a romance, ending 12 hours later on what would be their first date.
They weren’t apart much after that—except for on political beliefs. Rox remained an
independent thinker to the very end.
Rox and Graham followed their children and grandchildren’s activities with joy. One of
Rox’s proudest moments was when her son Rick’s Waverly-Shell Rock’s wrestling team
won state and her grandson, Cody, was crowned a three-time champ. She also reveled
in seeing her daughter Shelley turn her creative spirit and artistic talents into a
successful magazine career as a graphic designer and art director for Meredith
Corporation.
Rox and Graham fequently travelled the globe with her sister and their brother-in-law,
Kit and George Gibson. They visited six of the seven continents together. Travel was
one of Rox’s great passions, she loved delving into other cultures and experiencing new
things. There was no place too far flung for this curious and fearless woman.
Rox is survived by her husband of 35 years, Graham Fee; daughter, Shelley Caldwell;
son, Rick Caldwell (Kristi); her sister Kit Gibson (George); stepdaughter Amy Wesner;
stepson, Curt (Troy); 8 grandchildren (Cody, Kinsey, Abby, Ashley, Ian, Emma, Michael,
John); and 3 great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held on September 27 from 12-2 at Pine Knolls Golf Course.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Marion County Humane Society
or to the Memorial Scholarship for an outstanding high school graduate established in
Roxanne’s name.