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Keith Vandervort

Keith Vandervort, Ely MN, passed away of natural causes on August 26, 2022 at the age of 60.
Keith was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a degree in journalism and political science.
He started his career in journalism at the Chilton Times-Journal in Wisconsin where he met his wife, Kay. He worked at two newspapers in Fond du Lac and then took a job as a staff photographer at The Record-Eagle in Traverse City MI. Following that position he returned to Fond du Lac as the Chief Photographer at The Reporter then moved to a position as copy editor/page designer for The Reporter and later the regional copy desk for Gannett Wisconsin Media. His final position was as the Ely editor for The Timberjay Newspapers.
He won state newspaper association awards in Wisconsin, Michigan, and most recently a first place in Local Breaking News for his coverage of the storm that halted the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival in 2021.
Keith loved the news, politics, puns, lame duck jokes, photography, the Green Bay Packers, his family and friends and Kay. He was an amateur ham radio operator and enjoyed putting together World War II airplane models and Legos. He read voraciously, liked Wednesday date night and one day adventures to find a pretty rock, the best breadsticks, or something big such as the giant mouse in Fennimore WI, the cherry pie in Charlevoix MI, or the Smokey the Bear in International Falls.
He took numerous trips with family into the Boundary Waters, starting when he was in middle school. He enjoyed camping. He liked meeting new people and made friends wherever he went.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William JR and Arlene (Eggers) Vandervort; his parents-in-law, Floyd and Mildred (Wyble) Haden; one brother-in law, Richard Haden, and two sisters-in-law Mackie Vandervort and Patricia Babler and an uncle, Sonny Kissinger.
Keith is survived by his wife, Kay (Haden) Vandervort; his siblings, Kathleen (Gerald) Farrell, Kevin Vandervort, and Kraig (Tina) Vandervort: his step-son, Jeffrey (Lisa) Peters, his step-grandson, Jack Peters, his brother and sisters-in-law, Nancy Haden (Bill) Meyer, and Rose Haden; aunts and an uncle, Shirley Kissinger, Larry and Diane Eggers.
He is also survived by nieces and nephews; Laurie (Jack) Elliott, Michael (Leah) Farrell, AnnMarie (Allyce) Sulkowski, Kimberly Vandervort, Rachel Vandervort, Travis Vandervort, Brett (Sarina) Meyer, Cory (Mai) Meyer, Lauren Meyer (Kyle) Leto, Diana (James) Barany, Jennifer (Tim) Blair; seventeen great nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Presbyterian church, Ely, 11am, Friday, September 16. A meal and remembrance will be held at the Grand Ely Lodge, Ely, 12:30 to 2:30, Friday, September 16.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

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