Sharlyn Kay Cox

Sharlyn Kay Cox

1939 - 2025

Sharlyn Kay Cox, age 86, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025. She was born on February 13, 1939, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Lester J. and Merry K. (Wood) Dostal. During her early childhood, the family lived on White Swan Lake in the Old Scenic area of rural Bigfork, Minnesota. She attended elementary school in Bigfork before the family returned to Iowa, where she completed her schooling and graduated from East High School in Waterloo in 1957.

On August 16, 1959, Sharlyn married James F. Cox. In 1969, they moved back to the White Swan Lake area where they spent the rest of their 59 years together grounded in faith, family, and hard work. Their little home on County Road 345 became her cherished haven-a place where she raised her 5 children, welcomed visits from her grandchildren and neighbors, tended her gardens, crafted with boundless creativity, and cared for her much-loved menagerie of animals.

Sharlyn was industrious and resourceful; she worked numerous jobs over the years to help support her family whilst being a devoted wife and mother; she worked at Rath Packing Co, Demars Bros. Sawmill, Kocian's IGA, Sharp's Bait, was a park employee at the Link Lake Ranger Station, and a PCA for the Davis family children. She planted trees and made tens of thousands of Christmas wreaths. She was a self-taught taxidermist, upholsterer, and she even owned and operated her own business, White Swan Gift Shop, but her primary and most valued role was that of homemaker. She poured her heart into creating a warm, nurturing home and took joy in every small task; from planting flowers to sewing gifts for loved ones, and a favorite pastime making jams and jellies from the fruits of the forests she loved. She was a lifelong member of the Old Scenic Community Church and a founding member of the Swampsiders Snowmobile Club, both of which were important parts of her life in her community where she made many dear friends over the years. Sharlyn was the perfect example of kindness; known by all those in the Old Scenic community as a person always willing to help others at the drop of a hat, and endlessly generous with her time and energy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Merry; her husband, Jim; her sister, Myrta Beckner; brother-in-law, Richard Beckner; son-in-law, Mitch Rahier; grandson, Joseph Latimer; and an infant grandson, Adam Cox.

Sharlyn is survived by her children; Kathryn (Ron) Lewis, Donald Cox, Mary Rahier, Jeanette (James) Remmers, and Allison (Bruce) Butterfield; her grandchildren: Ben (Ali) Lewis, Andy (Erin) Lewis, John (Jess) Latimer, Bill Latimer, Abby (Tom) Hermann, Sarah (Cody) Haugen, Molly (Luke) Platt, Michelle (Dean) Haley, Mike (Aimee) Rahier, Jesse (Brittany) Rahier, Shara (Casey) Dabrowski, Therese (Steve) Busch, Grace (Isaiah) Hensel, Carissa Butterfield, A.J. Butterfield, Amber (Mike) Giving, and Michael Butterfield; 32 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren, (plus 2 on the way); her brother, Jon (Marilyn) Dostal, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sharlyn will be lovingly remembered for her gentle spirit, her love of all creatures (feathered or furred), her generosity, her creativity, her warm and welcoming smile that made everyone feel at home, and her gifted hands in the garden.

Visitation will be 10:00 AM until the 11:00 AM funeral service on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Balsam Bible Chapel. Luncheon to follow at Balsam Community Center. Arrangements by Peterson Funeral Chapel of Coleraine, MN. Arrangements by Peterson Funeral Chapel of Coleraine. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit our website at petersonfuneralchapelofcoleraine.com.