Dorothy Mae Corcoran

DOROTHY MAE CORCORAN was born on May 20, 1922 to Fred and Minnie (Dahms) Kappelman in Moody County, South Dakota. She attended two country schools during her youth, Pleasant Prairie near Dell Rapids, South Dakota and Keith School by Ward, South Dakota. Upon completion of eighth grade, she attended Flandreau High School and graduated with honors in 1939. Dorothy then went to work in Pipestone, Minnesota, living in homes while doing housework and child care for which she received room and board, along with $2.50 per week. Dorothy then went to work at Axel’s Café, The Colonial Café, and the OK Cleaners. While working at one of the cafes, she met her future husband, Jim Corcoran. In January of 1943, she began working at First National Bank. On July 29, 1943, she and Jim were married while he was home on furlough from the U.S. Army. Jim was stationed overseas and did not return home again until he was honorably discharged January 9, 1946. In 1952, the couple began farming south of Pipestone. In 1959, they moved east of town and continued to farm there until 1976. In addition to helping Jim on the farm, Dorothy worked at the bank until her retirement in 1978. Jim preceded Dorothy in death in January 1988. Following a card game in October 2018, she collapsed and hit her head on the pavement. Shortly after, she moved into Ridgeview Estates and her health steadily declined. In July 2019, she entered the Pipestone County Hospice House where on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 she died peacefully at the age of 98 years, two months and eight days.

Dorothy was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone where she belonged to the CCW. She was also a member of the Pipestone Senior Citizens. She was an election judge for many years and a dedicated blood donor. While living on the farm, Dorothy enjoyed tending a large garden and raspberry patch, canning, cooking and knitting. A specialty of hers was an angel food cake which she made from scratch and topped with fresh raspberries. Their retirement days were filled with hobbies, card games, watching over their grandchildren, delivering meals on wheels, volunteering and taking road trips. Following Jim’s death, she kept busy with her many card clubs, weekly dominoes games and an occasional trip to the casino. She also took up line dancing with a group of friends. She was very proud of the fact that she was able to ride her bicycle until the age of 90. She was an excellent cook and baker, so her family, especially her grandchildren, enjoyed her homemade buns and rolls at family gatherings.

Dorothy is survived by her five children, Patrick (Penny) Corcoran of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Robert (Linda) Corcoran of Pipestone, Kathryn (Harlan) Nepp of Pipestone, Karen (Mike) Zieglmeier of Eagan, Minnesota, and Ruth Corcoran of Pipestone; seven grandchildren and 15 great‐grandchildren, Kevin (Michelle) Corcoran and Elizabeth and Gabrielle, Keith (Heather) Corcoran and Lexy and Jaxson, Matthew (Carrie) Corcoran and Shelby, Wyatt and Kya, Scott (Virginia) Nepp and Alex, James and Laura, Justin (Nikki) Nepp and Landon, Reagan and Hudson, Diana (Pat) Bensen and Hunter and Morgan, and Nathan (Brie Zimmerly) Zieglmeier. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents; three brothers, Francis, Ralph, and Lawrence; and one sister, Donna Otto.

Memorials may be directed to the Pipestone County Hospice House or an organization of the donor's choice.

Please paste the following link into your browser search bar to view the family's slideshow of photos from Dorothy's life.
https://youtu.be/vZh4x8rVzNg