Ishpeming: Ralph G. "Fuddo" Bietila, 84, of 176 Davis St., Ishpeming, went to be with the Lord October 21, 2008 at the D. J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he had received exceptional care since August, 2004.


Ralph was born at home in Ishpeming, on July 8, 1924, the son of the late Jacob and Mary (Snell) Bietila.


After graduation from Ishpeming High School, Ralph served in the U.S. Navy from July 1943-December 1945. He and John Juidici, also from Ishpeming, served on the U.S.S. Tingey, one of a group of destroyers nicknamed "The Lucky Seven." They saw constant action in the Pacific Theater including the Battle of the Leyte Gulf. One memorable event occurred there as the destroyers tried to save hundreds of sailors from the badly-damaged aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Franklin. Personnel from the Franklin, which was in danger of sinking, were still in the water many hours after Japanese fighter planes had hit the carrier. Injured and exhausted, some were unable to use the ropes thrown to them from the destroyers. Ralph was one of several U.S.S. Tingey sailors who volunteered to swim out with ropes to secure the men and get them onto his destroyer. One of these survivors finally was able to track Ralph down in 1992, when the surviving crew of the U.S.S. Franklin and the crews from "The Lucky Seven" destroyers held a combined reunion. He stayed in touch with Ralph until his death in the late 1990's. During his service, Ralph earned a Purple Heart along with ribbons for Asiatic-Pacific Area (7 Stars), American Theater, Philippine Liberation (2 Stars) and the Victory Medal.


Ralph, the youngest of six ski-jumping brothers known as the "Flying Bietilas," returned home in time for the 1946 ski season. Ralph, his brother Walter and Joe Perrault of Ishpeming were picked to be three of the six-member U.S. Ski Jumping Team at the 1948 Winter Olympic Games in Switzerland. In 1950, Ralph, Joe and Wilbert Rasmussen were chosen to participate in the Federated International (FIS) Ski event held in Lake Placid, N.Y.


Ralph, Joe and Wilbert won places on the U.S. Ski Jumping Team competing in the 1952 Winter Olympic Games in Norway. After the 1952 Games, U.S. team members were invited to visit Finland to compete and sightsee. They happily accepted the invitation and Ralph made good use of his ability to speak Finnish.


When the U.S. hosted the 1960 Winter Olympic Games at Squaw Valley, California, and the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, Ralph was one of several Upper Peninsula skiers invited to attend as part of the official jumping hill maintenance crew. They willingly accepted the opportunities.


Ralph continued to ski in competition well into his fifties, the last years in Veterans Class. He actively promoted and supported his beloved sport by being one of the dedicated and valiant volunteers year after year working to prepare Suicide Jumping Hill for practice and for the annual competition.


He was named to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame and to the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame.


Next to skiing, Ralph enjoyed two favorite U.P. pastimes: going to deer camp with the guys for deer hunting and going to sauna.


After working briefly at the Robbin's Flooring Mill and at the Cliff Shaft Mine, he became an investment adviser representative with Investors Diversified Services (IDS) for over 30 years. He retired in 1992. Ralph loved talking with people whether he knew them before or not. He lived by the creed that it cost nothing to say hello. He leaves many longtime friends.


Ralph is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patsy Bietila; two children: Paul (Susan) Bietila of Milwaukee, WI, and Karen (Robert) Kakkuri of Ishpeming; six grandchildren: Clint Kakkuri, Renae (Jason) Collister, Chad (Kim) Kakkuri and Taylor Bietila of Ishpeming; David (Mary Claire) Bietila of Alexandria, VI, and Eric Bietila of Madison, WI; and four great-grandchildren: Drew and Malina Collister and Peyton and Dax Kakkuri.


Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Mary Bietila; by his brothers Anslem, Leonard, Walter, Paul, and Roy; by his sister Laila Hoiem; and this fall, by his daughter Sandra.


He was a lifelong member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church of Negaunee (formerly the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church).


The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 25 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming. A funeral service will follow there at 1 PM with Dale Kemp of Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church to officiate. A luncheon will follow the service at the Venice Supper Club in downtown Ishpeming.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Ishpeming Ski Club, P.O. Box 127, Ishpeming, MI 49849.