Grace Cherne

Grace Cherne

Grace Cherne passed away on November 25, 2022 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely, MN.
Grace (Gracie) was born on August 13, 1921.

Grace grew up in Tower, MN but spent most of her life in Ely, MN. Her parents were John and Mabel (Thomas) Axelson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederic Cherne; her first husband, Louis Erzar; her parents; four sisters; Doris (Matt) Vaida, Gladys (Charles) Tekautz, Florence (Tony) Bartovich, Nancy Gihl, and one brother, Thomas Axelson; and daughter-in-law Cindy K. Cherne.

Grace is survived by five sons and two daughters: Louie Erzar of Prescott, AZ; Thomas (Marge) Erzar of Ely; Mike Erzar of Ely; Frederic (Cindy) Cherne of Grand Rapids, MI; Chris (Traci) Cherne of Shiocton, WI; Rebecca Thomas of San Francisco, CA; and Connie (Thomas) Peters of Fargo, ND. She is survived by fourteen grandchildren, Ross (Pam) Erzar, Andrew (Susan Dziedzic) Erzar, Zach (Kara) Cherne, Nate (Kelly) Cherne, Cory Winter, Colin Winter, Caleb Winter, Cayden Winter, Grace (Em) Freud, Rachel (Ben) Hammond, Renae (Jeremy) Wortz, Kristen (Sam) Carbough, Emily (Kayce) Peters, and Allison Peters. She is also survived by thirteen great grandchildren.

The great loves of her life were her children and her husband ‘Fritz’. She was happiest when children were around her. Grace served on the session of the First Presbyterian Church and taught Sunday school and release time classes for many years. She was a Brownie Leader and Cub Scout Leader. She was a Red Cross Worker at the Ely Hospital and worked as a Nurse’s Aide.

Grace was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter. She was so kind and really loved her family. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.