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Submitted: May 2005

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James “Jimmy” Bungert, 86, dies

  James “Jimmy” Bungert, 86, passed away on April 23. He had been living 

at the Lake Ridge Health Care Center in Roseville.

  Jim was born in 1919 in Minneapolis. His grandmother was one of the 

founders of the Degree of Honor Insurance Company of St. Paul.

  He came to Ely to serve in the CCC camps in the late 1930s. He married 

Margaret Mavetz and stayed in Ely for the rest of his life.

  Jim was drafted into service in World War II and sent to Europe. He 

served in the 45th Division in Italy and later with the 19th Armored 

Infantry Battalion, 14th Armored Infantry Division through France and 

into Germany. He was part of a battle for a bridge over the Rhine River 

at Germerscheim, Germany, where he distinguished himself under heavy 

fire. He was awarded the Silver Star, the second-highest medal awarded 

by the U.S. Army (after the Medal of Honor) for “bravery above and 

beyond the call of duty.”

  Upon returning to Ely to rejoin his family, Jim worked as an 

underground miner in Zenith Mine and at Erie Mining and Babbitt, 

where he was a heavy equipment operator.

  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and after his retirement, enjoyed 

his morning coffee with his buddies. He was a great story-teller, who 

could entertain his listeners for hours with his humorous stories and 

jokes.

  Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Margaret 

(“Ike”), who passed away in February. He was also preceded in death 

by his parents, Carl and Rose Bungert, and sister Helen, all of 

Minneapolis.

  He is survived by his children: Virginia (Harold) Shepherd of White 

Bear Lake, MN, and Fort Worth, TX; David (Muriel) of Rush City; and 

Kathleen (Trevor) Ames of St. Anthony.

  He had six grandchildren: Mary Pucel of St. Anthony; Ken (Amy) Pucel 

of Wellesley, MA, and Minnetonka; Jenna Bungert of Bloomington; James 

Bungert of Iowa City, IA; and Beth Ames and Jeffrey Ames of St. Anthony.

  He had four great-grandchildren: Emma and Harrison Frazee, and Sarah 

and Grace Pucel.

  A memorial service in Ely is being planned.