Duane Mackie

Duane “Punky” Mackie, 85, of Babbitt, peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022, with his loving wife Darlene at his side. He was born on June 21, 1937 to Einard and Tillie Mackie at their home on the old Babbitt townsite on the hill.  

Punky was a 1955 graduate of the Embarrass High School. He married Darlene Lepisto in Ely in 1956, had four daughters and was a diesel mechanic at Reserve Mining for 30 years. Punky was a total car enthusiast, building his own dune buggy and owning over 100 cars and trucks throughout his life.  He was an avid outdoorsman and loved snowmobiling, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing and put many miles on his bicycle. He spent much of his retirement enjoying peace and solitude at their cabin.  

Punky was preceded in death by his parents; brother Gary Mackie (Barbara) and sister Joyce Hakala (Leslie). He is survived by his wife Darlene; his daughters; Cindy Perrault (Gerald), Bonnie Mackie (Russell Critchell), Lynn Carter and Shannon Mackie; grandchildren; Jessica Thom, Angela Olson, Nicholas Thom, Austin Carter; great-grand daughter Roxanne Roberts and great-great-grandson Alexavier Morales.  

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Ely Bloomenson Hospital for their compassionate care. There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, October 29 from 2-5pm at Fish Tales Tavern (Tank’s) in Babbitt, MN.  

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

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