Albert A. Piilola

WAUSAU, Wis. - Albert A. Piilola, 81, of Piilola Road, Ironwood Township, Mich., died Wednesday, July 13, 2016, in Wausau.

He was born Feb. 8, 1935, in Ironwood, son of the late Nante and Femia (Waurio) Piilola.

Albert attended the Roosevelt School in Ironwood Township. He worked in the woods and drove logging trucks. In Milwaukee, he was employed by Briggs and Stratton. Returning to the area, he was employed by Ahonen Lumber and then the Gogebic County Road Commission as a heavy equipment operator until retirement.

He enjoyed fishing on Lake Superior with his brother, Eino, making wood and building roads. He liked to fish and hunt, and especially enjoyed feeding the birds, deer and bears. Albert was a passionate member of the Ironwood Township Beagle Club.

He was married to the former Carol Bastman on July 29, 1965. She preceded him in death on June 13, 1994. He was then married to the former April Countryman on Dec. 19, 2002. She preceded him in death on April 17, 2009.

Albert is survived by a daughter, Cindy (Mark) Erickson, of Dassel, Minn .; three grandchildren, Troy Erickson, Alex Erickson and Mya Erickson; a brother, Eino, of Ironwood Township; a sister, Martha, of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by sisters, Miriam, Bertha, Evelyn and Vienna.

Cremation will take place.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood. Rev. Kurt Kovanen will officiate. Albert's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Friends and family are invited to an afternoon luncheon from 2 to 5 p.m. at Albert's residence in Ironwood Township.

Inurnment will be in the Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory and the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood has been entrusted will funeral arrangements. To send on-line condolences, visit us at rangefuneralservices.com.