Karl Rukavina, 88, of Winton, a proud Korean War Veteran, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Leona June Krensing (nee Smith), age 85, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2019 at Carefree Living in Babbitt, MN after a long illness.    “Tootie” was born on June 2, 1934 in Clear Lake, SD and was raised in Browns Valley, MN where she met her schoolmate and future husband Keith William Krensing. They married on September 2, 1952.  In 1956, after Keith’s tour in Korea as an army sergeant, they moved to Babbitt when Keith began working as a foreman...

Lawrence Dale Irving died unexpectedly in his home on November 18, 2019 in Ely, MN at the age of 75. Dale is survived by his sons Lawrence ‘Chic’ Irving of Ely, MN and Lawrence ‘Bouncer’ Irving, daughters Frances ‘Nikki’ Irving of Nett Lake, MN and Winona ‘Baby Girl’ Smith of Isle, MN, sister Josette Irving of Ft. Thompson, SD, and brother Randy Shields of Ft. Thompson, SD. He is...

MARY ANN GOTCHNIK PULIS, 92, of Ely died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. She was born on August 7, 1927 in Ely to Joseph and Mary (Stefin) Gotchnik. She graduated from Ely Memorial High School. She married George Pulis on Feb. 9, 1948 in Ely.  Mary Ann was involved in many church activities and with her love of music starting in Virginia, the “Sweet Adelines” barbershop quartet, community theatre musicals and many choirs that continued in Ely...

Stephanie Jean (Grahek) Boffa, 59, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Essentia Health- St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth with her husband Pat by her side.Stephanie was born on May 1, 1960 to Steve and Frances (Loushin) Grahek in Ely. Stephanie was a graduate of Ely High School and was employed by the Duluth News Tribune as a secretary. Stephanie was a very caring person,with a great sense of humor, was an excellent cook and baker with pies being her speciality who...

Doris M. Bothun, 88, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. Family have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Mary Alice Perushek, 91, of Ely, passed peacefully on October 25, 2019 after a short stay at the Boundary Waters Care Facility. She was born on December 4, 1927 to Stephen and Mary Orlovski in Denver, CO. Embodying MN values, Mary Alice was kind, independent, modest and, with her gentle humor, was loved by all family and her many friends in Ely. She married Michael (Mike) Grosell in 1957 (Denver, CO) and together they built up an automotive parts business that was eventually sold to General...

BERTHA ARLENE MERCELLA BOTTJEN  88, Ely,  passed away in the presence of her loving husband Duane. Bertha was born on the 17th of July, 1931, in Newcastle, Nebraska, to Adolph Gunderson and Marie nee Swenson.  She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa in 1949, and was employed as a comptometer operator in the office of Younker-Davidson retail store in Sioux City.  She married Duane Arnold Bottjen on July 10, 1950, in Sioux City, Iowa and accompanied him...

Melvin Luhta, 88, of Embarrass, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Carefree Assisted Living in Babbitt. Family arrangements have been entrusted Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

DARLENE “Dar” MARIE BACH, 70, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, 2019 in Duluth surrounded by family. She was born on September 28, 1949 in Virginia, MN to Frank and Angela Pucel and later married and had two children. She remarried Floyd Bach on May 5, 1990 in Ely and they enjoyed the little things in life such as bowling, playing cards, dancing and trips to the casino where she tried her luck. Darlene was a hard worker and held many jobs in her life, but she was...