As received from the Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Richard Hietala, 88, a resident of Chassell, passed away Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Omega House in Houghton.
He was born on May 10, 1938, in Hancock, a son of the late Edward William and Impi Marie (Lehto) Hietala. Richard was raised in Chassell and was a graduate of the Chassell High School with the class of 1956.
Upon graduation, Mr. Hietala moved to lower Michigan and resided in the Detroit area. In 1958, he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Korea for one year. Following the service, Richard returned to lower Michigan. He was first employed as a postal carrier and then began a career working for Robertson Brothers & Paddock Pools as an installer and repairman, and retired as the warehouse supervisor.
On August 9, 1969, he was united in marriage to Esther Sylvia Riutta. The couple had resided in Redford and then Walled Lake while raising their family. In retirement, the couple returned to the Copper Country and made their home in Chassell. On December 25, 2019, Esther preceded Richard in death.
Mr. Hietala had attended the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Hancock. He enjoyed working in the yard, going for his daily walks, and spending time with his family. In his last years, his granddaughters introduced him to “coffee runs” and he enjoyed going for rides to get iced coffees and sweet treats.
Preceding him in death were his wife Esther, his parents, his siblings, Ralph, Gordon, Ruth Kangas, Arthur, & Kenneth and his first granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth Hietala, and many extended family members.
Surviving are: His children: Heidi (Kevin Koslowski) Hietala of Chassell & Steve (Lindsay) Hietala of Chassell; His grandchildren: Saige Hietala, Evah (Nick) Horning, Abbigail Hietala, Kierah Hietala, Isabellah Hietala, Colton Hietala and Carter Hietala; Sisters-in-law Darlene Hietala and Marie Hietala, and numerous nieces and nephews. Longtime Special Family Friend Deann (James) Allen and their two children, Percy and MairEva. He also leaves behind his little dog Gigi, who has been with him for 12 years.
A funeral service for Richard will be held 1:00 pm Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel with Doug Wuebben to officiate. Burial will be in the Oskar Cemetery.
Friends may call Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 12:00 noon until the time of services at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel.
Richard’s family would like to thank the staff at UP Health System Portage and the staff at the Omega House for the kind and compassionate care given to him during his last days.
They would also like to especially thank his precious granddaughters for all of the care given and time spent with Richard, which allowed him to stay at his home these last few years.
To view Richard’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The family welcomes memorial donations in memory of Richard A. Hietala to the Omega House in Houghton.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel has been assisting the family with the arrangements.
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