Albert A. Pietila, 94 of Bruce Crossing and Ontonagon passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at Omega House in Houghton.

He was born April 24, 1920 in Bruce Crossing to Andrew and Mary (LaBeau) Pietila. On May 12, 1945, he married the former Ruth Bernice Johnson in Topaz.

Albert served in the US Army during WWII, receiving an honorable discharge at the rank of Corporal in 1945, and was at the German border during the war's conclusion. He was a medic and dental hygienist at the front lines. Albert was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, the European/African/Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 silver and 1 bronze battle star, 5 overseas services bars and 1 service stripe.

He was an adventurous person and hopped rail cars to California where he picked hops and grapes in the California vineyards, and sent his earnings back home to his family. He also took the rail cars back home to Bruce Crossing when he was finished. Albert held many jobs, including planting trees in the Ottawa National Forest, working in the Bruce Crossing Creamery and the Bergland Sawmill, farming both dairy and beef cattle, and working at the White Pine Copper Mine, from which he retired in 1983. In the late 1980s and early 1990s he returned to work at the US Forest Service in Watersmeet.

Albert loved animals, especially dogs. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, VFW Post 9345, and American Legion Post 41. He was also an avid card player and enjoyed Bingo, and was a fan of the Detroit Red Wings, Tigers and Lions.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, son Robert, sons-in-law Waino Pantti and Bruce Knivila, granddaughter Christina, siblings Julius, George, Mary Cecilia, Dorothy, Esther and Robert.

Albert is survived by his children Sally (Mike) Pantti-Kemppainen, William (Sarah) Pietila, Nancy Pietila-Ashbrook, Peggy Pietila-Knivila and Cathy (John) Welsh, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Burial will take place in Hillside Cemetery in Bruce Crossing with Military Rites provided by the Ontonagon County Veterans Association. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Omega House, where Albert received such wonderful and compassionate care. The Cane Funeral Home-Bruce Crossing Chapel is assisting the family.