Kenneth Rintala

Obituary of Kenneth Rintala Houghton Canal Kenneth W. Rintala, 81, a resident of Houghton Canal, passed away suddenly Thursday evening January 31, 2013, at his home. He was born on February 25, 1931, in Painesdale, MI, a son of the late Walter and Florence (Bollard) Rintala. As a child, he moved to the family farm on the Houghton Canal. Ken attended the Painesdale, Redridge and Houghton High Schools. At the age of sixteen, Mr. Rintala enlisted with the United States Army Air Corp. He was stationed in Germany, during the Berlin airlift, where he was part of an American hockey team that played against the German Olympic hockey team. Mr. Rintala returned home to take over and run the family farm on the Houghton Canal. He later joined the Iron Workers union and first worked on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, as well as various building projects at Michigan Technological University and different projects across the Midwest. On February 25, 1956, he was united in marriage to the former LaVerne Maatta. The couple resided and raised their family on the family farm on Houghton Canal. On February 6, 2012, after 55 years of marriage, LaVerne preceded Ken in death. Kenneth was a member of the Portage Lake Pioneers that had won the Gibson Cup in 1950-51; he was also an avid sportsman that enjoyed hunting, especially trips to Montana to hunt elk with his brothers. He also loved fishing, both summer and winter. He was proud of his Finnish heritage and loved the opportunity to speak Finn. He raised his children to know the importance of family, including distant relatives. Ken enjoyed playing cribbage, along with attending and listening to hockey games. He was a member of Ranger's Post #6165 V.F.W. of South Range, and the Iron Workers Union. Preceding him in death were his wife LaVerne, his parents, his step-father Yalmer Hermanson and an infant sister Mildred Hermanson. Surviving are: His children: Keith (Shannon Fletcher) Rintala of Dodgeville Kimberly (Jay) Schweitzer of Houghton Kelly (Steven) White of Ramsey, MN His grandchildren: Eden, Miriam, Eero, Jennifer, Kurtis, Kenneth, Jerrett, Jordan, and Dylan His 5 great-grandchildren His brothers: Dennis (Nina) Rintala of Anaconda, MT Russell Rintala of Butte, MT A special nephew: Jeremy Rintala Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins A memorial service for Kenneth will be held 3 P.M. Wednesday February 6, 2013, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock with Rev. Bucky Beach to officiate. Military Honors will be conducted by the Ranger's Post #6165 VFW of South Range, which will follow the memorial service at the funeral home. Spring burial will be in the Oskar Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday February 6, 2013, from 1 pm until time of services at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock. To view Kenneth's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock has been assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family of Kenneth Rintala, please visit Tribute Store