Ila Coon

Ila Coon, 91, Buffalo, N.D., died on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013 at Elim Care Center, Fargo, N.D., surrounded by her family. Ila Winifred Jahnke was born Jan. 24, 1922 in Devils Lake, N.D. to Charles and Mary (Wilkins) Jahnke. She grew up in Rock Lake, N.D., graduated from high school there and received her Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics from the North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo. Ila moved to Seattle, WA, where she earned her dietetics license through Swedish Hospital. She returned to North Dakota and married Harvey Coon on Sept. 6, 1946 in Rock Lake. They made their home near Buffalo where they farmed and raised their family. Ila was noted for her unfailing hospitality, which she generously shared with friends and neighbors, extended family or unexpected visitors stranded during a blizzard. She loved to cook and bake and was known for her homemade jam, orange rolls, and cowboy bars. She also enjoyed crocheting, sewing, hardanger, and many forms of needlework. But above all, being with family brought her the most joy. Through the years, she was a member of the Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, Homemakers' Club, Buffalo Historical Society, and Buffalo First Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband, Harvey; three children, Carol (Mike) Beaton, Randy (Debbie) Coon and Candace (David) Shultz, all of Fargo; five grandchildren, Mike (Betsy) Beaton, Jill (David) Suppes, Jon (Kari) Beaton, Chelsea (Mike) Monda, and Taylor (fiance´, Kevin) Shultz; and seven great-grandchildren, Anna, Sam and Megan Suppes, Tanner and Molly Beaton, and Max and Alex Beaton. She is also survived by two sisters, Marrion Walsh, Moorhead, MN and Norine (Lowell) Lussenden, Fargo; brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Coon, Williston, VT; and sister-in-law, Lois Coon, Bloomington, MN. Ila was preceded in death by two sisters, Charlotte Hovey and Margaret Straley; sister-in-law Judy Coon; and brothers-in-law, Kenneth Coon, Frederick Walsh, Egil Hovey, and Guy Straley. Visitation: Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 from 3 to 5 p.m. with prayer service at 5 pm. at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, N.D. Funeral: Monday at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, N.D. with visitation one hour prior. Interment: Buffalo Cemetery at a later date. westfuneralhome.com