GEORGE "FRED" BIEKKOLA's Obituary
GEORGE “FRED” BIEKKOLA, 69, of L’Anse passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born in Hancock, MI. on May 20, 1934 son of the late G. F. and Julia (Mc Namara) Biekkola. Fred attended the L’Anse Area Schools and graduated with the class of 1952. On October 31, 1959 he married the former Ellen Lindstrom at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, L’Anse. Fred graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1960 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany and was a decorated veteran. Upon returning to L’Anse he sailed on the Great Lakes, worked at the Alberta Forestry Sawmill and worked highway construction. He was then employed as an electronic repairman at Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. for 31 years, retiring in 1996. Following his retirement, he found “hobby” work for the Americorp MCC program under the direction of the Michigan DNR at the Alberta and Baraga State Parks As a devoted advocate of the youth of Baraga County Fred was a founding member of the L’Anse Hockey Association, acting as president, coach and enabling L’Anse to win the first Bantam “B” state championship in 1980. He also coached various little league teams, supported all Baraga County baseball and was one of its greatest fans. As a Detroit Red Wings fan Fred enjoyed the NHL All-Star game in Minneapolis this past February. As a lover of the outdoors, Fred had a camp on Little Burns lake-renamed by his grandson to” Fred” Lake. He had enjoyed many successful hunting seasons, enjoyed 4-wheeling with family and friends. As a bird watcher, he won the friendship of a partridge he named “Dumb-Dumb”. Fred was also a compassionate missionary against cancer and spoke at a Washington senate committee for workplace safety and asbestos contamination in 2001. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, L’Anse, a member of the L’Anse VFW, Post 3897, American Legion Post 144, and the Knights of Columbus, and a former member of the L’Anse Village council.
Mr. Biekkola is survived by Ellen, his loving and devoted wife of 44 years, 4 children, Scott Biekkola of Clovis, N.M., Larry (Heather) Biekkola of L’Anse, Cindy (Jeff) Hubbard of L’Anse, and Karen Hill (John Fooce) of L’Anse, grandchildren, Jason, Ryan, Jessica, Scotty, Julie, and Lauryn, and sister, Mary Wright of Marquette. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Ellen, sister, Anna Mae Johnson, and brother, Bill Biekkola.
Funeral services for Mr. Biekkola were held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2004 at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, with Father Greg Heikkala officiating. The family received friends Saturday at the funeral chapel from 11:00 a.m. until time of the service. Baraga County Area Veterans conducted military honors at 12:00 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus service at 12:30 p.m. The family wishes to recognize Superior Home Nursing and Hospice for their caring assistance. The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Mr. Biekkola’s obituary may also be viewed at and condolences sent to the family at www.rfsc.net.
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