Ilsoon McCormic

Ilsoon Pak McCormic passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at the age of 89 at Golden Nest Assisted Living in Minneapolis, MN, where she had been living. Her heart and thoughts were still at her home on Lake Ossawinnamakee in Ideal Corners, MN. Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake. Family and friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services. Interment will take place Thursday at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at 11:35 AM.

She leaves behind her two sons and their families, Tim and Pam McCormic, of Crystal Lake, IL and Russell (Mike) and Chrisanthe McCormic of Blommington, IL. She also leaves behind granddaughter Elsie Mae McCormic of Fargo, ND and grandsons, Ryan McCormic and Ian McCormic of Bloomington, IL. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell E. McCormic in 1963 and her first husband and son who were killed during the Korean War.

Pak leaves a legacy in her passing. She loved the lake and being in the house that her husband built. She loved her family and was very proud of her heritage. She was proud that she was an American citizen. By all standards, she could have been considered literate since she couldn't read or write English, but she was fluent in both Japanese and Korean and could read and write both languages. She struggled to keep her family well fed and clothed, taking menial jobs due to her lack of education. She never allowed the family to take government support or free school lunches since that would have been a sign of poverty and failure on her part. She learned how to be an American while still never giving up her Korean heritage or customs. She endured many hardships in her life, yet always made sure that her kids were well cared for.

For those that knew her, she was hardworking, caring, willing to share everything, stubborn, and a perfectionist. "Try harder" was one phrase that was always present in her words to her sons.

She is finally going to be with her true love and husband, Russell, after losing him over 50 years ago.