As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Mary Jo Hietala of Boston Location in Houghton County, Michigan, passed away on February 25, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin. Mary Jo was born on November 14, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan to Wilbert Karpinen and JoAnn Karpinen (Peterson).
Mary Jo married the love of her life, Don Hietala on Nov. 12, 1976, and they spent nearly 50 wonderful years together. Their early time together was spent in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but they soon moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where they built their lives. Mary Jo worked at Piggly Wiggly for 18 years where she enjoyed positions across multiple departments and utilized her talent for baking and art as a cake decorator. After 25 years in Sheboygan, Mary Jo and Don moved back to Michigan, where she spent 10 years working at Houghton County Medical Care until her retirement.
Mary Jo cherished her animals and time spent with her family and friends. She loved being an aunt, great-aunt, and great-great aunt to her nieces and nephews, who adored her. Mary Jo spent much of her free time engaging her creative side with crafting, gardening, and baking—often making gifts to share with friends and family. Two of Mary Jo’s favorite pastimes were spent with her best friend and sister-in-law, Kim, while they combed the shoreline of Lake Superior for Yooperlite; and navigated through at least a few wrong turns while they ventured across the U.P. and Wisconsin for craft shows, flea markets, and thrift shopping.
Since retirement, Mary Jo became active within the Laurium Shining Light Church congregation, where she enjoyed Thursday morning bible study; and volunteered her time to clean the church and serve during special events, potluck Sundays, and coffee bar.
Mary Jo loved life and is remembered by her friends and family for sharing joy through her infectious laugh and smile, her generous spirit, boundless energy, and passion for helping others.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and JoAnn Karpinen and infant daughter, Heather. She is survived by her husband Don Hietala, sister Denise Wirtanen, and brother Michael Karpinen.
A service for Mary Jo Hietala will be held at the Laurium Shining Light Church in Laurium, Michigan at 11:00 am on the 14 th of March 2026, with a visitation held one hour prior at 10:00 am.
Donations and memorials can be shared to the Laurium Shining Light Church.
Erickson-Crowley-Peterson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
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