Obituary of Beverly Jane Hietala Chassell Beverly J. (Ralph) Hietala, 84, a resident of Chassell, passed away peacefully Monday, April 29, 2019, at the Bluffs Senior Living Community in Houghton after a long illness. She was born on January 1, 1935, in Elo, the daughter of the late William and Olga (Karna) Niemi. She graduated from the Doelle Agricultural School as the valedictorian of the class of 1952.
After graduation, Beverly moved to the Detroit area and worked for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company. It was in Detroit that Beverly met Ralph. Beverly was united in marriage to Ralph E. Hietala of Chassell on October 15, 1966.
They resided in the Detroit area, and moved back to the Copper Country in 1970, where they made their home on the Hietala farm in Chassell. Beverly retired from the Michigan Bell Telephone Company (where she was known as the “cat lady” because of her love for cats) where she worked for over 30 years. After retirement, Beverly enjoyed her time which was spent babysitting, and then later, playing dominoes, Uno, and Scrabble with the ladies.
Beverly was an active member of the Chassell VFW Post 6507 Women’s Auxiliary, until her health no longer permitted it. Preceding her in death were her parents, her brother and sister -in-law, Harry & Lois Niemi, and her brothers-in-law, George Leinonen, Gordon Hietala, Art Hietala, & Ken Hietala and her sister-in-law: Ruth Kangas. Surviving are: Her husband: Ralph of Chassell Her sister: Joan Leinonen of the Bluffs in Houghton Her nephew: Glenn (Sue Berryman) Leinonen of Chassell Her nieces: Ann ( Mark) Roth of Redridge Sue (Brian) Hietala of Chassell Becky (Marc) Blom of Marquette Brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard & Esther Hietala, Harold Kangas, Darleen Hietala, and Marie Hietala, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Beverly is also survived by her special friends John & Anita Koski, Ken and Cheryl Larson, and numerous “adopted” grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she loved and adored. Funeral services for Beverly will be held at 12:00 pm Monday, May 6, 2019 at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton with Dave Taivolkoski to officiate. Burial will be in the Chassell Cemetery following the service.
Friends may call on Sunday, May 5, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p,m, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Chassell, and from 10:00 am until time of services at the church on Monday, May 6th. In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be given to the Copper Country Humane Society, or another charity of their choice in memory of Beverly Hietala. To view Beverly’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.
memorialchapel.net.
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