Gerald “Tom” Hietala

He was born on November 10, 1952, a son of Gerald and Ellen “Marie” (Soli) Hietala. He was a graduate of L’Anse High School in 1970.

He worked at Celotex and the Village of L’Anse Street Department.

He was married to Kathleen “Kiki” Koskimaki, they parted ways but remained friends. He was married to Shelly Rickard on September 30, 2000. Shelly passed away on Decmeber 12, 2019.

Tom was a member of the Sons of the American Legion. He loved cutting wood, boating, fishing, hunting, canning, and making pickles.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Shelly.

He is survived by: a daughter Kylie (Hietala) Bianco of L’Anse, a son Tom (Katy) Hietala of Bend, Oregon; a stepson Tylor (Kayla Poisson) Rickard of Lake Linden; grandchildren Kailob and Kenzie Bianco; and 2 sisters Sharon (Craig) Struble and Susan (John) Belsito.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time. The Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at pearcefuneralhome.com.