Cox leaves over $6 million to Community Foundation in Willmar, Minn.
WILLMAR — The Willmar Area Community Foundation announced today that Alice Cox, who died Dec. 29, 2011, has designated the Willmar Area Community Foundation to receive her entire estate, which is valued at over $6 million. A foundation spokesman said the gift will double the foundation’s assets to over $12 million.
“This is truly an extraordinary gift from an extraordinary woman,” said Foundation Director Dean Anderson. “Alice believed in the Willmar area, and through this gift, she will be making an impact that will last the generations.”
Cox was born and raised in Lake Lillian. She lived most of her adult life in California, but returned to Willmar in 2004, shortly after the death of her husband, Joe.
Her unrestricted gift will establish the Joe and Alice C. Cox Fund within the Community Foundation. The couple was able to live a good life after Joe Cox, who was in the logging industry, invented and patented the chain for chain saws.
“This is a transformational gift for our Foundation and for our community for which we are extremely grateful,” said John Lindstrom, Foundation chair. “The Board will be working carefully over the next months to ensure that Alice’s extraordinary gift has abiding benefits for our community, and we truly honor Alice’s confidence in the Community Foundation.”