Leonard R. Bietila Jr.

Leonard R. Bietila, Jr., 80, of Breitung Township, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain. Len was born July 1, 1934 in Ishpeming, MI, son of the late Leonard R. and Gertrude (Jokinen) Bietila. He graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1952 and continued his education in the field of mechanical engineering. Len married Virginia Sironen on June 25, 1954 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Negaunee. He began working at the Butler Theater when he was just a kid, he then worked numerous jobs throughout his career. He worked at companies such as Fluor Utah, Braun and Aerojet, where he helped design some of the first missle test stands in California. Len started his own company, Bietila's Engineering, in 1971 in the Iron Mountain area. He was an active member of First Covenant Church in Iron Mountain where he served as a deacon, a head usher for fifteen years and sang in the choir for many years. He was also a member of the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Kiwanis Club where he held all offices in the club and then became Lieutenant Governor. He was also a member of Toastmasters, ASME(American Society of mechanical engineers), a ski instructor, and a baseball coach. Len was an avid golfer and he had belonged to Pine Grove Country Club and Oak Crest Country Club. Baseball was one of his favorite sports. In the 1950’s he was selected to play on a minor league team, the Tigers, in California. He also enjoyed cross country skiing and downhill skiing and taught each of his five children to enjoy these activities. He loved cars from his early childhood with his first word being “car” as an infant. His favorite car was a mustang convertible. He loved watching sunsets at Lake Antoine with his beloved wife of sixty years, Gina. He especially enjoyed Saturday night sauna and watching the “Lawrence Welk” show. Len is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gina; a son, Leonard III (Julie) Bietila of Norway; three daughters, Cynthia (Mark) Swan of Rozet, Wyoming, Sandra (Dean) Norlin of Colton, Oregon and Patricia (Kevin) Hooper of Ishpeming; a sister, Carol (Jerry) Bone of Saginaw, MI; 24 grandchildren, Penny(Jon)VanderPol, Jerod (Abby)Olsen, Polly Olsen, Ben (Kelsey)Olsen, and Brett Olsen. Jessica(Bryan)Lass, Jesse (Brittni) Swan,Natasha, Joshua , Jacob(Caitlyn)Swan, Caleb, Brandon, and Aaron Swan. Len IV Bietila, Laura (Andrew)Bailey, Amy (Dave Miller), Sarah Bietila. Dustin (Naomi)Norlin, Casey Norlin, Sierra Norlin, and Tyler Norlin. Stephen (fiancé, Sarah Parkkonen)Hooper, Kyle Hooper, and Kailey Hooper; 18 great grandchildren; Nathan, Samantha, Brianna, Sabrina, Hannah, Justin, and Simon VanderPol, Natalie Olsen, Isaac, Andrew, Luke, Benjamin, and Esther Lass, Logan and Aiden Swan, Jasper Miller, and Trevor and Austin Norlin. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra Olsen. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain and on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30am at First Covenant Church in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 10:30am on Thursday at the church. Rev. Peter Erickson will officiate. Burial will be in Ishpeming Cemetery. Pall Bearers will be Leonard’s grandsons. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Leonard’s name. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Leonard R. Bietila, Jr. online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Leonard R. Bietila Jr.

July 1, 1934 - May 12, 2015