ONTONAGON — An Ontonagon kayaker who went missing in July 2023 was identified Tuesday, two days after his body was found in Lake Superior in Ontonagon Township.

Dale Venema, 74, was last seen kayaking on July 14, as he was paddling out to Lake Superior; a resident saw his kayak unoccupied about an hour later. He had not been found after a search of several days.

The Ontonagon County Medical Examiner confirmed on Tuesday the body found was Venema’s, the Michigan State Police, said in a Tuesday release.

The Michigan State Police thanked the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department, the Ontonagon County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ontonagon County Medical Examiner’s Office, Negaunee Regional Communication Center, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan State Police Marine Services Unit, Bruce’s Legacy Search and Recovery (Wisconsin), the Ontonagon Harbor Master and the Village of Ontonagon employees for their efforts in the search for Venema.

The MSP thanked residents and visitors of Ontonagon who provided information that helped lead to this recovery. Their condolences and prayers remain with the family, the MSP said.