Joseph Haasl, of Babbitt, MN, passed away peacefully on December 15th, 2021, just six days shy of his 102nd birthday.  In his later years, the first thing that Joe would want you to know about him was that he was a World War II veteran who fought in the European theater at the end of that war.  Of course, his family would tell you that there was much more to him.   They would tell you that he was a very social guy, easy to converse with, who was loved by...

John Andrew Debeltz, 83 years young of Ely MN, passed away January 17, 2022 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, brother & pastor.  John was born in Ely on May 13, 1938 to Joseph and Anne (Amitrano) Debeltz and was a life-long resident of Ely. He was a hard loyal worker from an early age working with his father as a masonry, worked at the Zenith mine until it shut down then married his wife Cheryl of 57 years soon after he...

Mona Maki-Thoren, 60, of Ely, passed away Thursday, January 27, 2022 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. A celebration of life will take place this summer. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. 

Gerald Taylor, 80, of Ely, passed away Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Vermillion Senior Living in Tower. Family arrangement have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home. 

David Michael Mayen, 76, passed away at his temporary residence in Babbitt from natural causes. David was born Oct. 31, 1945, in St. Paul, Minn., to George and Virginia Mayen. He graduated from St. Paul’s Johnson High School, and was one of the nation’s first computer programmers, working as a computer system analyst for many prominent companies across the U.S., while traveling with his family across the nation as work required. In 1980 he settled in Ely, the place he loved most...

Matthew Scott Smolen, age 53, passed away peacefully in his home in Ely on January 19, 2022.  Matt was born on December 27, 1969, in Gary, Indiana, to Thomas and Mary Frances Smolen. He graduated from Highland Sr. High School in 1987 and continued his education at Purdue University and Vermilion Community College. Matt enjoyed going to Fortune Bay, playing Texas hold ‘em, having the companionship of his many dogs through the years, watching football and baseball (Go, Cubs!), and...

Anne Marie Levar (Shober) born May 24th, 1931 died January 8th 2022. She was born in Leadville, Colorado. She came to Ely, MN in 1954 where she worked at Sterbenks Cafe. She met her husband Adolph at Sterbenks Cafe, and they married in 1956. Throughout Anne’s life she loved to gather people together, crochet, have polka parties with friends and family. She took joy in caring for so many children in Ely that she was Mother of the Year. There was always an abundance of love family and...

Frances “Frana” Marie Cherico was a caring individual, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world suddenly on January 14, 2022 at age 77. She was born to Adolph and Marie Dolenshak on April 8, 1944. After graduating from high school, Frana chased her dreams and traveled the country, she had married and had 3 children: Tony Cherico of Bentonville, AR, Sean & Karla Cherico of Sedan, KS, and Nicole & Darren Wallace of Frisco, TX and 6 grandchildren: Rico,...

Linda Fryer, 72 of Ely, passed away on Thursday, January13, 2022 at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.  Long time Ely resident and retired Chamber of Commerce Administrative Director Linda Fryer’s impact on her family and community didn’t come to an end with her death. Linda passed away in Duluth, Minnesota on January 13, 2022 at the age of 72 while surrounded by family and friends who had come from all over the country to be by her side and honor her...

Mark E. Miklaucic, 61, of Ely, passed away at on Saturday, January, 8th, 2022.  Mark past away peacefully and was lifted to Heaven after a long battle with colon cancer. Mark was born in Ely and was a lifelong resident.  He was a graduate of Ely Memorial High in 1978.  Mark also attended Dakota Technical truck driving school and became a long haul driver and traveled the U.S. just as he wanted to do.  He then moved on to Alexandria Technical College where he graduated...