Leonard Edward Levar Jr. of Babbitt, age 75, passed away peacefully at his Bear Island Lake home on Friday, September 8, 2023 after a second battle with cancer. Leonard was born and raised in Babbitt, Minnesota and graduated from Babbitt High School in 1966. He then went on to attend Vermilion Community College and Bemidji State University for his BA Degree in Industrial Arts. Leonard taught Industrial Arts at Babbitt High School for a few years before working at AMAX until its closure and...

John R. Sundell, 72 of Minnetonka, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 23rd at his favorite place in the world, the family cabin on Burntside Lake in Ely, MN. He is preceded in death by his mother, Blanche (Comer) Tepley, and siblings Anne (Sundell) Brown and Jeffrey Sundell Sr. He is survived by his soulmate of 51 years, M. Diane (Dodson) Sundell, Jessica, Eric and Betsy (Elworthy), Chi and Thu Tran, his four grandchildren: Reyna, Boden, San, Junnie, sister Cathie (Lee)...

Shirley Pitt, 83, passed away on September 14, 2023, at Babbitt Carefree Living. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

Tamara Rollins, 53, passed away on September 14, 2023, at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home. 

Roger D. Waxlax, 69, of Babbitt, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023 at home. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

Robert Joseph “Ropey” Buchner, age 71, of Ely, died on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the Northern Pines Care Center in Aurora MN. Ropey was born on January 16, 1952 to Joe and Rosemarie Buchner, the oldest of 3 children. He was a proud Army Veteran. He traveled to 49 of the 50 US States, always saying Ely was the most beautiful spot.  He loved living his adult life off the grid at his property on Shagawa Lake, riding his Harley motorcycles, playing his guitars, collecting...

Antoinette Marie Mitchell, age 67, of Ely, passed away August 9, 2023 in the home of her youngest son due to health complications. Toni was born on November 13, 1955 to Edward and Roslyn (Levar) Gregorich. Toni grew up in Ely with her two brothers Eddie and Joseph. Her father was a long-time school janitor everyone knew as Koko. Antoinette was a friend to everyone and a proud mother to her two boys. No matter how hard life was at times she always had food on the table, a warm house for her...

Helen Frances Kochevar, age 99, of Ely, peacefully passed away on July 13, 2023. She was shy a few weeks of celebrating her 100th birthday! After suffering an unfortunate hip break in May 2023, she spent her remaining days at Waterview Pines in Virginia, MN. Helen was an extraordinary woman who lived independently in her own apartment until her accident. Born on August 18, 1923, in Aurora, MN, Helen was the daughter of Anton J. and Mary (Markovich) Perushek, Sr. She was married to Frederick...

Reverend Alcyd N. Soderfelt passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 14, 2023.  He was born in Grafton, ND on June 21, 1938, to Anne and Kenneth Soderfelt. He was the oldest of eight children and was raised on a farm in Drayton, ND. Alcyd was a minister for most of his adult life.  He served parishes across the state of MN, including Pine City, Brooklyn Park, Blue Earth, Mahtomedi, Inver Grove Heights, Janesville, and Elysian.  He retired to Ely, MN to be closer to...

Carole Sue Niska,  age 82,  passed away July 26, 2023 in the Ely Bloomenson Hospital.  Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.