Donald J. DeBeltz Sr.

Donald J. DeBeltz Sr., 84 a proud U.S. Army veteran and lifelong resident of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely surrounded by family.  Don will be remembered for his humility, for sharing laughter, and for creating long-lasting friendships by starting conversations which always led to colorful stories.

Don was born on April 13, 1941, to John and Sylvia (Johnson) DeBeltz at the Ely Shipman Hospital. As a young boy, he spent summers with his Grandma and Grandpa Johnson at Fall Lake, where he developed a love for swimming. He spent hours in the lake and would often swim across the bay in front of the cabin by himself. He eventually joined the boy’s swim team at Ely Memorial High School where he broke records in the 50-yard sprint, 100-yard sprint and 400-freestyle relay. Don graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1959 and received scholarship offers for swimming from Annapolis, Rutgers, Purdue, Stanford, and the universities of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Don chose the University of Minnesota. He enjoyed swimming there, but only stayed one quarter. He later completed an Associates of Arts degree from Vermilion Community College.

After leaving the U of M, Don drove out to the West Coast. He spent six months in Bellingham, WA. The job market was difficult because of the war, so he enlisted in the Army. Don spent two years in Freiburg, Germany. He always spoke well of his time there and had many stories to share. After he returned to Ely, Don worked at Dee’s Bar, Joe DeBeltz Masonry and Modern Decorating before going to the mines.

Don was a hard-working man. In 1975, he became the manager of Dee’s Bar. He also worked at Reserve Mining Company for 19 years and 11 months, and Erie Mining Company (LTV) for 15 years until it closed in January 2001. He continued working at the bar until he sold it to his daughter, Carrie.

On October 10, 1964, Don married his first wife, Carol Borgen, and together they had four children,11 grandchildren and one great grandson. They were happily married for 46 years until her death from cancer on April 25, 2010.

On February 12, 2011, Don married his second wife, Janice Pucel, and welcomed four step children,10 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. They were happily married for 14 years.

Don fought a hard battle with Parkinson’s disease. He traveled to see the best doctors in the field and was willing to try the latest medicines and treatments. On October 26, 2022, he had deep brain stimulation surgery hoping to better manage the disease. Although his tremors improved, Don wasn’t able to get the mobility for which he had hoped. After surgery, he was able to live at home for six months, until his family could no longer safely manage his care. Don spent his last months at the Boundary Waters Care Center.

Don is survived by his wife Janice Pucel of Ely, his children: Dr. Donald J. (Marian) DeBeltz of Grand Forks ND, Daniel G. (Jennifer) DeBeltz of Knoxville MD, Carrie (Marc) Hanson of Ely, Dean (Cheri) DeBeltz of Ely;  grandchildren: Taylor (Oriol) Mathias, Casey (Chase) Christen, Jon (Alex) DeBeltz, Sydney Matthias, Samantha DeBeltz, Kelly (Mason) DeBeltz, Cooper DeBeltz, Carena DeBeltz, Connor DeBeltz, Cylvia DeBeltz, and Olivia DeBeltz; great-grandson and best buddy Jukka Ojala; and a great-grandchild DeBeltz coming in September; step-children: Jodi (Bucky) Phelps of Virginia MN, Joe (Heidi) Pucel of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Jim Pucel of Virginia, and Jamie Pucel of Virginia; step grandchildren: Shayne Burnside, Jaye Burnside, Kaylie (Louie) Gerzin, Thomas Pucel, McKenzie (Will) Dietz, Alyssia (Max) Roberts, Nathan Pucel, Joey Pucel, Luke Pucel and Marija Phelps; and step great-grandchildren: Connor Burnside, Bailey Burnside; Alaina Burnside, Aubree Gerzin and Madeline Dietz; lots of close family, numerous nieces and nephews and long-time friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol G. DeBeltz; his parents John (Dee) and Sylvia DeBeltz; his sister Adele Daily and his grandparents.

The family would like to thank Dr. James Montana, Dr. Erik Peterson and the East Range Hospice Team for their wonderful care.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation one hour prior. Interment after the service with military honors. 

Donations to the Veterans on the Lake, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and NRE Swim Team in Don’s memory are preferred.

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald J. DeBeltz Sr., please visit our floral store.