Leonard Cersine

Leonard M. Cersine, of Ely MN, born July 13, 1947, died peacefully on January 30, 2025. Leonard was preceded in death by his Mother, Rose Cersine and Father, Bruno Cersine, both of Ely, MN.

For all of his life, Leonard was an avid outdoorsman. Leonard was also very active in local government matters serving as a Township Supervisor for the Town of Morse for 27 years as well as being a member of many related government boards.

From a young age, Leonard hunted, trapped and fished in the forests surrounding Ely which is now the BWCA and Quetico Park. Leonard knew every campsite, portage and fishing spot between Ely, MN and Atikokan, ON. In 1961, 1962 and 1963, Leonard competed in the International Canoe Derby which was a canoe race of over a hundred miles from Ely, MN to Atikokan, ON (or vice versa depending on the year) and back. In 1963, Leonard and his partner took 3rd place in the race which was quite an accomplishment.

Leonard worked at Reserve Mining company, now Northshore in Babbitt, MN and later at LTV Steel in Hoyt Lakes, MN until his retirement. During his long career at the mines, he very much enjoyed mentoring new employees and working in the blacksmith shop. Throughout his life, Leonard also worked at numerous canoe outfitters around Ely, MN including Don Beland’s and Canoe Country Outfitters. Leonard loved to share his wealth of knowledge about the lakes and woods while routing hundreds of canoe trips at Canoe Country Outfitters, although he did not share any of his best fishing spots.

Leonard was a devoted husband and father and is survived by his wife of 53 years, Devvie Cersine (Booth) of Ely, MN and his sons, Matthew (Deisy) Cersine of Orlando, FL and Stephen (Leah) Cersine of Chicago, IL. His wife and his boys have so many wonderful memories of their outdoor activities with Leonard throughout the years like trapping around Ely, MN, annual hunting trips to Manitoba, Canada and fishing in many backcountry lakes. Leonard would always go out of his way for his boys supporting them in their hobbies like skiing, their education and other matters.

Leonard is also survived by his sister Mary (Mike) Harri of Ely, MN and brother, Jack (Norma) Cersine of Babbitt, MN. Leonard very much enjoyed his Nephews Mike Harri and Leonard Harri of Ely, MN who were always a wonderful help to him and the family and joined him on many adventures.

A Celebration of Life for Leonard will be held during the Summer of 2025 in Ely with a date to be announced in the future.

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

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