Richard M Pietila

Funeral service for Richard Marvin Pietila, 76, of Makinen, will be 11am Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Heritage Trail Bible Church in McKinley with Pastor Michael Wefel officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Markham Cemetery in Colvin Township. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Richard died suddenly on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. He was born October 5, 1940 in Biwabik, MN to Matt and Elna (Tuomala) Pietila. Richard was a 1959 graduate of Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School and later married Sharon Heikkila on April 7, 1962. Richard worked for Hoover Construction and Reserve Mining prior to working as a mechanic for Nels Nelson and Sons in Duluth. He retired from there on October 5, 2001. He was a member of the Local 49 Union and wintered in Florida following his retirement. His family was of utmost importance to him, and he enjoyed spending time working on vehicles and “Doing What The Boss Told Him To Do”. Survivors include his wife, Sharon; children: Debbie (Lonnie) Pierce of Ellendale, ND, Steve (Lisa) Pietila of Harris, Teresa (Bob) Hirsch of Markham, Matt (Michelle) Pietila of Britt and Tim Pietila of Norwood; eleven grandchildren: Jena, Donald, Dillon, Angie, Ryan, Kayla, Derek, Kyle, Morgan, Lane and Gabe; five great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bob.