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PAINESDALE
Edsel A. “Art” Hietala, 82, of Painesdale, died Monday, January 22, 2018, at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
He was born February 23, 1935, in Oskar Bay, a son to the late Frank and Mayme (Patana) Hietala. As a youth, he worked on the family farm and attended the Redridge School.
Art was an iron worker, being employed at various jobs with Gundlach and Mattila Construction companies. He worked on the construction of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and several buildings on the Michigan Tech campus. He also worked at the Ontonagon Mine, the Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette, and with the restoration of the Painesdale Mine Shaft. He retired from Mattila Construction in 1999.
Art was married to the former Joyce Taavola on October 29, 1956, in Laurium. She preceded him in death on May 27, 2013.
Art was a member of the Range Apostolic Lutheran Church of South Range and Iron Workers Local #8 of Milwaukee. He enjoyed fishing with his buddy, “Edu”, snowmobiling, hunting, staying at the Misery Bay camp and spending time with his family and grandchildren. Art will be fondly remembered for telling jokes. He was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and the Green Bay Packers.
Art is survived by his son, Glenn (Chris) Hietala of Liminga; his daughter, Sherri Nettell of Milwaukee,Wisc.; three grandchildren, Josh (Christian) Nettell of Laurium, Destri (Isaac) Nettell of Hancock, and Tyler Hietala of Mayville,Wisc; a sister, Bonnie (Al) Degenhardt of Brookfield, Wisc.; a sister-in-law, Jackie Hietala of Mukwango, Wisc.; two brothers-in-law, Bruce (Jean) Taavola of Painesdale, and Brian (Adele) Taavola of South Range; one aunt, Ethel Hietala; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents and wife, Art was also preceded in death by an infant daughter;
a son, Garry: three brothers, Clifford, Matt and Ron; four sisters, Dagmar, Mary Ann, Donna and Sandra Lee; and a son-in-law, Bill Degenhardt.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2018, at the Range Apostolic Lutheran Church in South Range, with Pastor Chuck Bylkas to officiate. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Friday in the church. Interment will be in the Toivola Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Mountain View Mortuary of South Range, Antila Funeral Service, Inc.
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