Ines R. Cox

Ines Ruth Gilgen Cox, 89, of Shelley Idaho died on February 4, 2025.

Ines was born on May 19, 1935 in Ostermundigen, Switzerland. When she was thirteen years old, she immigrated to Canada with her parents, Bertha and Fred Gilgen, and younger brother Ralph. Two years later her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Shelley, Idaho.

Ines was extremely proud of her Swiss heritage and always thought she would return, but the first person she met in Shelley chased her all the way to school, like a bee buzzing after a flower. Eventually the beekeeper Orville Cox caught her and convinced her to become his wife. Ines and Orville were married on May 3, 1957, in the Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple. They loved being known as the Swiss girl and the beekeeper.

Together, Ines and Orville raised six children on their precious farm in Woodville, where the front window looked out on the Grand Tetons--mountains that always reminded Ines of her childhood in the Swiss Alps.

Ines had many talents, from her beautiful roses and plentiful vegetable garden to the amazing sewing and crochet projects. There were the (in)famous matching polka dot pants the kids had to wear through Disneyland. The intricate patterns she created on baby receiving blankets were always a treasure for any new parents in the community.

A proud member of the Woodville Ward, she held many positions, the favorite of which was creating the weekly church bulletin. She spent many hours making the covers creative and special.

She is survived by her brother Ralph (Karol) Gilgen, her children David (Judy), Ava (Mark) Falslev, Sara Ehlert, Lori (Matt) Isom, Heidi (Darl) Kuhn, and Ryan (Suzy), 18 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her loving beekeeper husband, Orville, her parents Bertha and Fred Gilgen, grandchildren Jenessa Falslev, Bryce Ehlert, and son-in-law Alan Ehlert.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Gables of Idaho Falls, Aspen Hospice, Kathy Cooper Huntsman, and Audra Bergenser for the loving way they took care of Ines over the last few years.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 14, 2025 at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 West Oak Street, Shelley. The family will receive friends Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. till 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.

Those who would like to participate in the funeral service remotely are invited to view the service on a live broadcast on Nalder Funeral Home's Facebook page.

*