Mary Roberta Kerntz, 77, of Ely passed away on Friday, October 22, 2010 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on January 22, 1933 to Peter and Celia (Van Der Meer) Kastelyn in Chicago, Illinois.

At a young age she began taking swimming lessons at the YMCA and then swam for Chicago Town Swim Club where she and her teammates held several national and world records. Mary and her teammates were featured in Life Magazine for their swimming achievements.

In November, 1954 she married James F. Kerntz who turned an independent Chicago city gal into a woman who could hunt and fish as well as any outdoorsman. Jim and Mary managed Basswood Lodge until its closing in 1964. In 1968 they purchased Stormy Lake Camp out of Dryden, Ontario where they made many memories entertaining family, friends and guests. She was a natural provider and excellent hostess. When not entertaining guests, she and Jim spent time with their seven children enjoying all the Canadian wilderness had to offer. She and Jim founded and operated Kerntz Funeral Home until his retirement from the firm.

Mary was not only an athlete, but a fan of all sports. Every Sunday you knew she would be in her living room cheering the Vikings along. Mary always looked forward to bowling league with her girlfriends and even achieved a high series of 601.

Her last months were spent at home surrounded by her loving family.

She is preceded in death by her husband James, parents Peter and Celia, and brother Donald Kastelyn.

She is survived by her seven children: James F. Jr. (Cindy) of Mt. Iron; Christopher (Kim Puzel) of Ely; Robert of Ely; Valerie (James) Hitchcock of Brandon, SD; Anne (Greg) Mackie of Ely; Nancy (Steve) Smrekar of Ely; Thomas (Kim) of Ely; eight grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; brother-in-law: Frank (Rae Ann) Kerntz; sister-in-law: Kathy Kerntz; and beloved dog Dolly.

Visitation was held at Kerntz Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, October 25.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 26 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation one hour prior at the church. Burial will be in the Ely Cemetery. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.