Faye Ilene Hietala, age 91, passed away on October 27, 2025 at Edgewood Vista in Hermantown. 

She was born on August 11, 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota to parents, Victor Bjork and Ebba (Hanson) Bjork.  She graduated from Denfeld High School in 1953.  She went on to become a dental assistant for many years and then worked as a receptionist at the former Lake Haven (now St. Eligius Nursing Home).  She was a long time member United Protestant Church, serving on the church council.  Faye always looked to her Friday dinners at Sammy’s Pizza with friends.  She loved entertaining and cooking; lasagna was always a hit with the family and she cooked all the family dinners for the Holidays. 

Faye and Ryan enjoyed traveling in their retirement years and they never missed a Marine Corp Reunion.  They were also huge UMD Bulldog Hockey fans, attending as many games as they could.  

Faye was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ryan; son, Randy; grandson, Jacob; and sister, Ann Spielman. 

She is survived by her sons, Bill (Penny), Scott (Jacqui); grandchildren, Randy, Mackenzie, Kaylie, and Aaron; brother-in-law, Dale (Linda) Hietala; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. 

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at United Protestant Church, 830 88th Ave. West, Duluth, MN 55808.