Ila Corcoran

Ila Mercedes Corcoran, 99, formerly of Grand Forks, ND, passed away in Oklahoma City, OK on Friday, December 8, 2023. Her life was filled with love, compassion, and service to others. She lived out her famous mantra “never give up” until the very end. 

Ila Mercedes Lundgren was born on November 3, 1924, the daughter of John and Josephine (Johnson) Lundgren.  She graduated from Edinburg High School as valedictorian and took off for the “big city” of Grand Forks, ND after graduation.  It was there that she met the love of her life.  On September 7, 1947, Ila married James (Jim) Robert Corcoran at Sharon Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, ND.  They were married for 71 years. They were role models for what patient and kind love looks like in a marriage. They were never shy about their love for each other and their family. 

They had five children, Connie, David, Gayle, Barb, and Dona. Ila was a Gold Star Mother.  Their only son, David James Corcoran, was killed in the Vietnam War on June 25, 1969.  Ila and Jim were members of Sharon Lutheran Church for many years and the church library was named after David.   

Together, Ila and Jim owned and operated the Grand Forks Speedway for decades.  They also promoted stock car racing events at tracks throughout North Dakota and northern Minnesota.  While Jim may have been the hard-working dreamer and extroverted showman,  Ila was the quiet and methodical business partner that took joy in helping to make Jim’s dreams come true. As a testament to her efforts and commitment, Ila was inducted into the Grand Forks Speedway’s “Hall of Fame” in 2005.  

Ila was a fierce competitor. She was an avid bowler and participated at the state level in her early years, helping to anchor the Grand Forks Speedway bowling team to many league championships and was named Grand Forks Bowler of the Year in 1961. She continued to enjoy bowling throughout her lifetime, winning the Oklahoma Senior State games in her age division at the age of 89, qualifying for the National Senior Games. 

After retiring, Ila and Jim settled in Oklahoma City, OK and enjoyed many trips and vacations with their daughters and their families. They attended hundreds of sporting events supporting their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ila was always ready with praise and a warm hug regardless of the outcome. She always instilled confidence and calmness into every situation. 

Ila’s wit and comedic timing kept her family entertained over countless boardgames and card games. She was a superstar and legend in trivia with a distinct advantage, having lived just shy of a century. She knew the history because she lived it. 

Ila was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.  She was a woman of strong faith and true character who loved The Lord deeply and lived her faith daily.  We will miss her sweet smile and the softness of her gaze that let you know you were so deeply valued and loved. 

Ila is survived by her four daughters, Connie (Dennis) Morgan of Amarillo, TX, Gayle Stettler of Whitewater, WI, Barb Skari of Grafton, ND, and Dona (Joe Van Beckum) Zanotti of Edmond, OK; eight grandchildren, David (Tracy) Skari of Halstad, MN, Katie (Matt) Johnson of  East Troy, WI,  Koller Stettler of Whitewater, WI, Kyle (Alana Misialek) Skari of Grafton. ND,  Jamie Morgan of Amarillo, TX, Danielle (Michael) Parker of Yukon, OK, Angela (August) Fitzpatrick of Oklahoma City, OK, and Marie (Kaleb) Kleine of Evergreen, CO and eleven great-grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews.  Ila was preceded in death by her husband, her son, David, son-in-law, Dale Stettler, her parents, and her brothers and sisters.

A celebration of life service will be held at Sharon Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND on Saturday, June 22 at 11:00 a.m. with a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery.  The family suggests donations to the David Corcoran Memorial Library at Sharon Lutheran Church, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society or a favorite charity.