Marjorie Hible

Marjorie “Margie” Hible, 80, of Ely passed away on the evening of January 6, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth surrounded by her loving family. Margie was born August 7, 1944 in Kentfield, CA to May and William Hible. She married Eugene Kowarsch in November of 1964, and together had seven beautiful children. She spent her time raising her children, her horses and participating as a leader in 4-H. Later in life, Marjorie met her life partner Charlie Kerntz, and together spent the next 38 years on White Iron Lake in Ely.

Marjorie worked numerous jobs throughout her life, however, most remember her best as an Ely school lunch lady where she referred to the kids as “punkin”, or as the very talkative Ely Safe Ride driver. Margie loved a good story and conversation. She was a lover of any and everything Green Bay Packers and could often be heard talking about Brett Farve or Aaron Rodgers…until he became a traitor. On summer mornings, Margie enjoyed sitting on her deck sipping coffee, and as the matriarch, maintaining the order of her EXTRA-large family. In the evening, she loved a good personal karaoke session while relaxing at her computer.

Margie is survived by her children, Eugene Jr. (Mary) Kowarsch, Kim (Christopher) Puzel, Kevin (Tonya) Kowarsch, Kerry (Amanda) Kowarsch, Krissy (Dave) Kishel, and Korry (Jessie) Kowarsch, her brothers, George (Barb) Hible, Jim Hible, 40 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her life partner, Charles Patrick Kerntz, daughter, Kelly Ann Kowarsch, granddaughter, Kirja Mae Kishel, son-in-law Frank “Nippy” Puzel, her brothers, Terry and Gary Hible, and sister Mary Ann Linke.

Services will be held January 18, 2025, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. with a mass service beginning at 11 a.m. There will be a gathering at her daughter Kim’s house following the service.

The family would like to express a sincere and special thank you to the amazing individuals who loved and cared for Margie at the Boundary Waters Care & Carefree Living establishments. Also, a heartfelt thank you to the men and women who were involved as First Responders, EMS, EPD, EFD and the staff members of St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Family services have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

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