Beverly Jane (Niemi) Lewis

Beverly Jane (Niemi) Lewis, 94, of Ely, died peacefully in her home on Thursday, July 30, 2020, with her daughter Peggy and granddaughters Heidi and Hollee at her side.

She was born May 22, 1926, the youngest of five children born to Finnish immigrants Isaac and Hilma Niemi.

She graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1944 and attended Ely Junior College.

She married William (Bill) Lewis on September 18, 1947, and raised their three children in Ely.

Bill and Bev owned a cabin on Burntside Lake and she loved spending time there with her family and friends. She was a skilled fisherwoman and loved sharing her favorite fishing spots with her family. Beverly loved warm summer days at her cabin followed by nights curled up on the couch with a lap full of grandkids and a good scary movie.

Beverly was a home maker. She loved music and enjoyed sharing stories of her dancing days. She was a lifelong and faithful member of First Lutheran Church.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Rudy (Mary) Niemi and Ralph (Bernice) Niemi; sisters Janet Niemi and Bertha Erickson; infant grandson Michael Vukelich; husband, William Lewis; son-in-law, Dale Hartshorn; son, Thomas Lewis; and dearest friends: Ruth Whiting, Amelia “Red” Rozman, Jane Yadlosky and Caroline Anderson; as well as other in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Beverly is survived by her daughters: Patricia (Michael) Vukelich of Kure Beach, NC; Peggy Hartshorn of Ely; daughter-in-law Doreen Lewis of Blaine. Grandchildren: Shari (Kenny) Newsum of Beckley, WV; Stacy Vukelich-Greenwood of Asheville, NC; Bill (Daun) Vukelich of Duluth; Heidi (Chad) Meskill of Ely, Hollee (Tom) Coombe of Ely; Dale (Mallory Johnson) Hartshorn of Virginia; Ashley (Jon) Huele of Fountain City, WI; Kayla (Donny) Heath of Coon Rapids; Brandon Lewis of Cambridge and Wade Lewis of Cambridge; 14 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandsons. She is also survived by her dear friend Yvonne Reese of Ely and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at First Lutheran Church in Ely with visitation taking place one hour before the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

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