Obituary: Wester Rintala

As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:

Wester Rudolph Rintala, a former resident of Tapiola, passed away on November 6, 2021, at the Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium, MI after a short hospital stay.
He was born at home in Tapiola, MI on February 11, 1926, to Salomon and Jennie (Haataja)
Rintala. His native language was Finnish (he didn’t learn English until he started attending the
John A. Doelle School). He loved and remained proud of that heritage his entire life.
Wester was a gifted mechanic, logger, welder, outdoor sportsman, and heavy equipment operator
for Gundlach Construction. He recently celebrated the 60-year anniversary of his membership in
the Operating Engineers Local 324, another thing he was very proud of. Wester could fix just
about anything. He had a kind heart and was always willing to help his family, neighbors, and
friends.
He was a long-time member of the Painesdale Apostolic Lutheran Church (joined now with
Range ALC). He was a man of simple faith and often left his family and friends with the words
“God’s peace.”
Wester was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 67 years, the former Lois Junttonen; his brothers Richard and Wallace; his sisters Florence Seppala, Ethel Lohela, Hazel Kilpela, Verna Alatalo, and Signe Bakkila.
Wester is survived by his children: Gloria (Edward, Sr.) Chestolowski of Wrightstown,
Wisconsin, Gordon (Holly) Rintala of Chassell, Joann (James) Niemerg of Rockford, Illinois;
sister Nora Pantano of Atlantic Mine; 8 grandchildren: Edward (Jennifer) Chestolowski Jr.,
Kenneth (Melissa) Chestolowski, Ryan (Jennie) Rintala, Brett (Kaitlyn) Rintala, Derek Rintala,
Jock Hyland Jr., Jennifer (Jeremy) Garrett, and Jonathan Niemerg; brother-in-law Vernon
(Donna) Harju; sisters-in-law Laurian (Ronald) Osantowski and Neldine Smith; numerous great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and friends.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all that loved and cared for Wester during
his extended stay at Canal View – Houghton County. We are forever grateful to his neighbors
and the Tapiola Community for their support.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at the Range
Apostolic Lutheran Church in South Range with Pastor Chuck Bylkas to officiate. Visitation will
be from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday in the church. A time of lunch and
fellowship will follow in the church fellowship hall. Spring burial will be in the Mountain View
Cemetery in South Range. Arrangements are being handled by the Memorial Chapel Funeral &
Cremation Services of Hancock.
To view Wester’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit
www.memorialchapel.net.