Byron Jay Beihoffer, age 89, formerly of Lake Vermilion, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 8, 2026 at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.

Marie Thompson, age 97, passed away on March 1, 2026 at her home in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.

Frances (Fran) Church passed away peacefully on February 9, at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely, MN. She was born on December 27, 1933, in Dexter, ME. Fran married Donald Church on January 28, 1956, in Saco, ME. They shared 63 years together before he passed away. Fran loved family dinners served with more vegetables and homemade pies than one could imagine. She was a lively conversationalist, especially while quilting with the ladies at Ely’s First Lutheran Church or over coffee ...

Joseph Earl Mathias Skala, age 85, died January 16, 2026. Joe was born March 24, 1940, in Highland Park, IL to Mathias and Orba (Sandnas) Skala. He attended Immaculate Conception School in Highland Park through 8th grade and graduated in 1958 from St. Norbert High School in DePere, WI where he was a boarding student. After attending one year at the University of IL Champaign, he returned to Highland Park to work as a ...

Richard (Dick) Hill, 81, of Ely passed away on February 9, 2026 at his home with his family by his side. Dick was born May 12, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Moose Lake, Mn and attended school there. He then entered the US Army. After the Army, he made his career at US Steel Minntac. Dick married Dina (Hutar) on January 19, 1968. They were one week shy of their 50th wedding anniversary when she passed away in 2018. Together they built a home filled with love and laughter and ...

Virginia “Ginny” Alice Deinhammer, age 84, of Perham, MN and formerly of Babbitt, MN passed away on February 17, 2026 at Perham Living with family at her side. Ginny was born November 18, 1941 in Port Clinton, Ohio to Justin and Helen Rofkar. She grew up on a fruit orchard on Catawba Island, Ohio. Ginny graduated from Port Clinton High School in 1959. She worked at the Port Clinton National Bank for five years.  William (Bill) Deinhammer was working in Port Clinton and in ...

David Holmsten, age 72, of Babbitt, a proud Navy veteran passed away at Waterview Woods Nursing Home in Eveleth on February 15, 2026. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.

Albert Dennis (Denny) Kovall passed away at Boundary Waters Care Center on February 15, 2026, at the age of 81. Al was born on February 4, 1945, in Ely, Minnesota to Albert Frank and Jennie (Skerjanc) Kovall. Al graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1963 before studying art at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s Construction Battalion and proudly served as a Seabee BU2 in Vietnam. “We Build, We Fight.” After returning home, Al ...

Thomas Lee Riley, age 76, passed away at his home in Ely, MN on Friday, February 13, 2026. Tom was born on January 19, 1950, in Brainerd, MN to Margaret and Argus Riley. His life was a long and brilliant journey marked by service, courage, and meaningful contributions to his community and country. Tom proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was a decorated veteran, having been awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice.  He began his teaching ...

Alicia C. Arn passed away February 10, 2026 at Carefree Living Center at 100 ½ years of age.  Her husband, John Arn and sister, Carolyn Skiff preceded her in death.  She is survived by her daughters, Sandy (Ben) Pawlak and Phyllis (Hal) Zimmer, and grandson, Daniel Pawlak.  Born in Cincinnati Ohio, Alicia was raised by her mother. She interrupted her college education to help support her mother and sister, rolled bandages for the war effort, and was a ‘Rosie ...